Death of 2-year-old Left In Daycare Van
In June 2011, two-year-old Jazmin Green tragically died after being left unattended in a daycare van for over two hours on a sweltering day in Jonesboro, Georgia. The van had returned from a field trip to Chuck E. Cheese's, and a 16-year-old volunteer mistakenly believed all children had exited the vehicle. Jazmin's mother, April McAlister, testified that she was unaware a teenager was responsible for supervising the children.
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In April 2014, the daycare's owner, Marlo Fallings, and her daughter, Quantabia Hopkins, stood trial for their roles in Jazmin's death. The jury acquitted them of felony murder charges but found Fallings guilty of reckless conduct and Hopkins guilty of involuntary manslaughter, reckless conduct, and contributing to the deprivation of a minor.
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Following the incident, the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning permanently revoked the license of Marlo's Magnificent Early Learning Center, citing inadequate supervision and safety checks related to transportation.
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Jazmin's father, Charles Green, expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict, describing the penalties as a "slap on the wrist." He advocated for stricter regulations and oversight to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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This case underscores the critical importance of stringent safety protocols and proper supervision in childcare settings to safeguard the well-being of all children.
