Advocating for Childcare Safety and Accountability
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The Anthony DeJuan Boatwright Foundation is dedicated to addressing critical issues in daycare centers and advocating for comprehensive childcare reforms. With numerous incidents nationwide highlighting the urgent need for change, our mission is to ensure that every child in daycare is protected and every parent is informed.
Recent Incidents Highlight Systemic Problems
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Georgia: A 2011 report in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC), based on Associated Press findings, revealed nearly 500 serious incidents at Georgia daycare centers over five years, including at least eight deaths and 239 injuries. Despite these alarming figures, the state rarely shut down the daycare centers involved, often opting to issue fines instead. This approach is akin to a slap on the wrist rather than a genuine corrective measure. The issues ranged from improper supervision to serious injuries, and unfortunately, such incidents continue to occur.
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In early 2025, a toddler tragically died at an Alpharetta daycare after choking on fruit, leading to a temporary closure for investigation. Just a few weeks later, in February 2025, a 6-month-old infant died at a daycare in Statesboro after being found unresponsive in a bouncer seat. These recent incidents, alongside historical data, demonstrate an ongoing and persistent problem.
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However, since the 2011 AP report, there has been no comprehensive follow-up study to track whether daycare accidents are increasing, decreasing, or remaining consistent. This lack of updated data makes it incredibly difficult to understand the full scope of the problem or implement effective solutions. How can we fix a broken system when we don’t even have the data to understand its failures or measure progress?
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Beyond Georgia, similar tragedies occur nationwide:
New York: In a harrowing incident, a 22-month-old child tragically died from fentanyl exposure at a Bronx daycare that was covertly operating as a drug trafficking site.
Maryland: An 8-month-old infant was fatally smothered by a daycare worker, highlighting severe lapses in employee vetting and supervision.
California: In a devastating attack, a driver deliberately drove into a preschool playground, resulting in the deaths of two children and injuring others.
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Common Issues Identified
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Inadequate Supervision: Insufficient oversight leads to accidents, injuries, and fatalities.
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Lack of Mandatory Reporting: The absence of federal requirements for reporting child fatalities results in inconsistent data and oversight.
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Insufficient Background Checks: Failure to conduct thorough background checks allows unfit individuals to care for children.
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Inadequate Safety Measures: Many centers lack proper safety protocols, leading to preventable accidents.
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Lax Regulatory Oversight: Variations in state regulations and enforcement contribute to inconsistent safety standards.​
Advocacy for Change
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The Anthony DeJuan Boatwright Foundation advocates for the following reforms to improve childcare safety:
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Mandatory Liability Insurance: Ensuring all daycare centers carry liability insurance to protect children and provide transparency to parents.
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Enhanced Regulatory Oversight: Implementing consistent and rigorous state and federal regulations to maintain high safety standards.
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Comprehensive Background Checks: Mandating thorough vetting processes for all childcare employees to ensure the safety and well-being of children.
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Standardized Reporting Requirements: Establishing federal mandates for reporting serious injuries and fatalities to improve data collection and preventive measures.
Join Our Mission
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Parents, advocates, and lawmakers must demand transparency, accountability, and data-driven reforms to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities. By addressing these critical issues, the Anthony DeJuan Boatwright Foundation aims to prevent future tragedies and ensure that every child in daycare is protected, and every parent is informed.
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