Jordan Coleman, also known as JoJo, had turned four years old last week. On Wednesday, his mother sent him off to 3C’s Day Academy. He never returned home. Now his family is planning a funeral instead of a birthday party. JoJo had fallen asleep in the back of a Toyota Sequoia while in the Academy’s care and was simply left there. Forgotten by his day care provider, the child remained in the car for over two hours while temperatures reached over 90 degrees. By the time the day center realized that he was missing, it was too late. Despite a CPR attempt, JoJo was pronounced dead at Broward Health Coral Springs.
On the day over JoJo’s death, the Academy’s owner, Cecily Roberts, was trying to hide the fact that her home-based day care was over capacity and instructed her daughter to take eight children on a field trip, including JoJo and his cousin. Having been cited multiple times for caring for more children than allowed by her license and for leaving the children in the care of her eighteen year old daughter, the Department of Children and Family Services believe Roberts instructed her daughter to take the children in case DCF came to re-inspect the grounds. The children went swimming and were headed to an apartment complex when JoJo fell asleep in the back of the SUV, which had no child safety seats, and did not exit with the others. Hours later, JoJo’s cousin eventually realized he was missing and asked where he was. But it was too late.
JoJo’s family is trying to grieve the loss of their little boy. When they asked the Academy what had happened to JoJo, the day care providers lied and told them that JoJo has collapsed while playing. However, JoJo’s young cousin, who had been present when the boy died, told them a different story. Broward child-welfare services is investigating the incident and has temporarily shut down the day care center.
Sunrise child-care center shut after boy’s death in SUV, www.miamiherald.com August 03, 2012.
Jojo’s family entrusted the young boy’s life to Cecily Roberts and she failed them. Parents should feel that their children are safe and are going to be cared for when they leave them at a day care center. The negligence of the 4C’s Day Academy caused the wrongful death of a little boy far too soon. If your child has been injured at a day care center, call the Hialeah child injury attorneys at the Friedland | Carmona today. The Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers know that bringing a claim for your child’s injury can be emotionally difficult and the experienced staff at the Friedland | Carmona is equipped to help your family in your time of need. With over twenty years of experience, the Miami trial lawyers are dedicated to helping families recover compensation for their children’s injuries. Don’t hesitate! Call (305) 661-2008 today for your free consultation.
The Miami wrongful attorneys at the Friedland | Carmona handle all types personal injury cases throughout the state of Florida, including Boca Raton, Homestead, North Miami, South Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Pembroke Pines, Hialeah, Kendall, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach. In addition to child injuries, the Friedland | Carmona handles all types of personal injury claims, including wrongful death, defective products, medical malpractice, slip and falls and construction site injuries. Call today and let our family take care of your family!