On the first day of day care, a 16-month-old was choked to death by an worker who lay on top of her while scrolling through her phone. Lawsuit

A heartbreaking case from North Carolina has shocked many people, raising serious concerns about child safety in day care centres. A 16-month-old girl lost her life on what was supposed to be her first day at day care.

Now, her parents are seeking justice through a lawsuit, while the criminal case against the worker involved is still ongoing.

What Happened on the First Day of Day Care

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The incident took place on May 19, 2025, at a day care centre called Creative Beginnings in Lenoir, North Carolina. The toddler, Maddy Mitchell, had just started attending the facility that day.

According to reports, a day care worker named Alexandra Coffey, aged 30, was responsible for looking after her. Sadly, this day turned into a tragedy, as Maddy’s parents never saw their daughter alive again after dropping her off.

Allegations Made in the Lawsuit

Maddy’s parents have now filed a lawsuit in Caldwell County, accusing the day care worker of serious negligence. The lawsuit claims that the worker tried to force the child to sleep and used dangerous methods.

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Some of the key allegations include:

• The toddler was placed face down on a sleeping mat
• A blanket was put over her head
• The worker allegedly used her body weight to hold the child down
• The child struggled for several minutes before becoming still
• The worker reportedly stayed on her phone during this time

These claims suggest a deeply disturbing situation, which has led to both legal and criminal action.

Delay in Checking the Child

One of the most shocking parts of the case is what happened after the child stopped moving. According to the lawsuit:

• The worker left the toddler lying on the floor
• She did not check on her for around three hours
• When she finally returned, the child had already passed away

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Emergency responders were called, but it was too late to save the child.

Cause of Death and Legal Action

Officials later confirmed that the toddler’s death was a homicide. The cause was identified as compression asphyxia, meaning the child could not breathe due to pressure on her body.

The legal situation now includes:

• A criminal case against Alexandra Coffey for involuntary manslaughter
• A civil lawsuit filed by the parents seeking compensation and punishment

The parents have requested a jury trial to decide the outcome.

Day Care Shut Down

After the incident, authorities took strict action against the day care centre. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services suspended the licence of Creative Beginnings, leading to its closure.

This step was taken to ensure that no other children would be put at risk.

Quick Overview of the Case

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