Columbia unlicensed daycare operator accused of manslaughter in baby’s death
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Columbia private daycare operator was charged Wednesday with first-degree involuntary manslaughter in the death of an infant in her care.
Sarah D. Brown, 56, was booked into the Boone County Jail at about 9 p.m. Wednesday but had apparently posted her $15,000 bond by mid-morning Thursday. Brown's north Columbia address at 3305 Green Ridge Road is redacted in court documents but listed in online arrest records.
Brown is accused of putting a baby in a crib with a loose, unfitted blanket and pillow in a position that resulted in death by suffocation, according to a probable cause statement. The baby had a viral lung infection and Brown ignored parent instructions to have her sleep on her back, the statement says.
Brown allegedly admitted to lying to police and saying she found the baby not breathing while lying on her back in the crib on May 25.
Boone County's Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas Komoroski, said the Class-C Felony could carry a three-10-year sentence if Brown is found guilty.
"Under Missouri Law, a person who commits the offense of involuntary manslaughter in the first degree, if you recklessly cause the death of another person," said Komoroski.
"We arrived at the scene, once we arrived at the scene the paramedics was there and they had her in the ambulance at that time trying to resuscitate her," the 12-week-old baby's grandmother, Tambra Redden, told ABC 17 News. "And at that time we wasn't given any information other than they're trying to do all they can to revive her."
The girl's father told ABC 17 News her name was Ayla Gibson.
Ayla's grandmother said the family made a point of telling Brown about Ayla's sleeping requirements. Ayla had only been in Brown's care for a week and she came on good recommendation, Redden said. Redden said she feel like involuntary manslaughter is too light a charge.
The daycare was unlicensed or illegal, the statement says. The Children's Division found another child, 10 months old, sleeping face down in the crib with a loose blanket underneath the baby's face while interviewing Brown after the death, the statement says.
Brown had 12 children in her care and was not licensed with the state. The state requires licensing if you care for more than six children who aren't related to you.
Her initial court hearing was Thursday afternoon and she was expected to appear by video, according to Casenet. But she bonded out of jail and was not present. No lawyers for Brown were in attendance, and at last check, she did not have any lawyers listed on Casenet.
Komoroski believes Brown will be in court July 11, when she is scheduled to have her arraignment.
