ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An Alpharetta childcare center has been forced to close its doors for a state investigation after a one-year-old died days after choking at the center.
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“Whenever we’re investigating any type of issue with a child, there’s health and safety and we believe those children are in imminent danger, we have the ability to issue an intended order for emergency closure,” said Reg Griffin with the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning.
The emergency closure is what happened at Little Sunshine’s Playhouse and Preschool on Morris Road in Alpharetta. It comes after a 16-month-old boy had to be rushed to the hospital on Dec. 20.
“We understand it was breakfast that day and (the child) began to choke on what we understand was a piece of mango,” Griffin told Channel 2′s Candace McCowan.
After five days, the boy passed away on Christmas Day. The 21-day emergency closure gives The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning a chance to investigate.
“The rules are pretty clear,” said Griffin. “This is where teacher-student ratios become very important and why the scale varies among the age.”
“A lot of it has to do with the sizes of the food that are being served, the bite sizes how small or how big is allowed. They should know that,” said Griffin.
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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.
For the family of the little boy who died after choking, Channel 2 Action News was told they’re 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.
A spokesperson for Little Sunshine Playhouse and Preschool released the following statement:
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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