NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning revoked a license for an Alpharetta preschool after a 1-year-old choked on a piece of fruit and died.
The incident happened on Dec. 20 at Little Sunshine’s Playhouse and Preschool on Morris Road. DECAL said the boy choked on a piece of mango given to him during breakfast and had to be rushed to the hospital. He died five days later.
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Channel 2′s Candace McCowan reported earlier this month on the emergency order for Little Sunshine’s Playhouse and Preschool on Morris Road to temporarily shut down for the investigation.
On Friday, DECAL ruled to revoke the preschool’s license. Little Sunshine has 10 days to appeal, but must stay closed during the appeal process.
“DECAL determined that rule violations occurred which seriously affected the health and safety of children and demonstrated the intentional and reckless disregard for the physical and mental health and safety of children,” the letter states.
“DECAL has determined that there were uncorrectable abuses, derelictions or deficiencies in the operation and management of the Child Care Learning Center which were brought to the attention of the license holder,” the letter continues.
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Among the violations found, investigators said staff were not seated within arm’s length of the children and “failed to provide watchful oversight.”
The state also found that the mixed fruit served to the children were not chopped, diced, cut or mashed to size that was “appropriate for each child’s age and individual eating, chewing and swallowing.” Investigators found evidence that the mango the boy choked on had been at least an one-inch piece.
Signed Revocation Letter (01!24!25) - Little Sunshine's Playhouse & Preschool (CCLC-48566) by WSB-TV Assignment Desk on Scribd
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The family of the little boy who died told Channel 2 Action News that they are heartbroken. We’ve learned through their attorney his name was Juan Martin, his parents’ only child.
Juan Martin’s family’s attorney released the following statement:
“The family wants everyone to know, more than anything, that Juan Martin was the sort of son they prayed for and the light of their lives. While the State is investigating the events of December 20th, which led to the death of their son on Christmas, they do not feel it is appropriate to comment on the specifics of the incident. The family respects those involved in the State’s investigatory process and will await their findings, as well as those of their counsel. The family wishes to secure justice for their son and will do whatever they can to ensure that this never happens to another child in daycare, or elsewhere.”
According to the Department of Early Care and Learning’s website, it’s been noted on several occasions, a lack of staffing and supervision at Little Sunshine Playhouse and Preschool in Alpharetta. Each time the center was given time to correct the issue.
A spokesperson for Little Sunshine Playhouse and Preschool released the following statement earlier this month.
“All of us at Little Sunshine’s are devastated by this tragic accident and express our deepest sympathies to our student’s parents and entire family. We have cooperated with all government investigations and will continue to do so through conclusion, as we are committed to the safety of our children. We will do all we can to support all those impacted by and through this tragedy, but out of respect for the privacy of the family, we will not be providing further public comment.”
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