Unlicensed daycare operator charged in baby’s death makes first court appearance
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Columbia private daycare owner charged in relation to a baby's death made her initial court appearance Tuesday.
Sarah D. Brown, 56, is charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter for the death of Ayla Gibson.
Brown is due back in court Sept. 7 at 9 a.m. for a preliminary hearing at the Boone County Courthouse.
Prosecutors charged Brown after she allegedly put Gibson in a crib with a loose, unfitted blanket and pillow in a position that resulted in the death by suffocation, according to court documents.
Gibson's parents allegedly told Brown the baby had a viral lung infection and told Brown to have the baby sleep on her back, but a probable cause statement says Brown ignored the parents' instructions.
On May 25, Brown allegedly admitted to police that she lied about how she found the baby. She told police she found Gibson lying on her back.
ABC 17 News reached out to Brown's lawyer Richard Hicks for his thoughts on the case.
"I will say Sarah Brown has been devastated by what happened and her heart truly hurts with the family of the deceased child. Sarah has absolutely no criminal history, and has been a productive and law-abiding citizen in the Columbia community. It is my understanding that she has been a conscientious care-taker for most of her life." Hicks said. "Many of the parents who allowed Sarah to care for their children are still very much supportive of Sarah, which is a testament to her character and her ability as a childcare provider. I believe that as more facts come to light that Sarah will be exonerated. I wish I could say more but at this time I cannot."
Court documents say the daycare was unlicensed. Brown had 12 children in her care at the time of Gibson's death and was not licensed with the state.
Under Missouri Law, daycare owners are required to have a license if they care for more than six children who are not related to them.
Brown was arrested June 14 and booked into the Boone County Jail but posted a $15,000 bond the next morning.
If Brown is found guilty, Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Nick Komorosk said the Class C felony could carry a three- to 10-year sentence.
