Police: Infant found after 5 hours in day care van dies

Jacksonville police say months-old child found about 1 p.m. still in car seat

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Police are investigating the death of a months-old baby found Wednesday afternoon who was found unconscious in a van outside a Jacksonville preschool.

Jacksonville police said the infant girl was found still in a child safety seat in the van about 1 p.m, about five hours after the vehicle was used to pick up children. Jacksonville firefighters tried to revive the baby and took her to Wolfson Children's Hospital, but the child could not be saved.

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Investigators say the girl's mother had called the daycare to check on her, and an employee said she didn't know the child was there. Officials say the mother then rushed over and found the girl in the van. 

Police said the Ewing's Love and Hope Preschool cares for about 14 children and no other children were injured, WJXT reports.

The building is surrounded by police tape, officers and homicide detectives, including the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office chief of investigations. They were working with the State Attorney's Office to determine if any charges will be filed in the case.

The center was licensed and had no violations in its last three inspections by the Florida Department of Children and Families, most recently on April 15. The last time inspectors found any issues was last July when the report noted lack of documentation of worker training and outdoor equipment and field trip forms were not available for review.


About the Authors

Corley Peel is a Texas native and Texas Tech graduate who covered big stories in Joplin, Missouri, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Jacksonville, Florida before returning to the Lone Star State. When not reporting, Corley enjoys hot yoga, Tech Football, and finding the best tacos in town.

Award-winning broadcast and multimedia journalist with 20 years experience.

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