Family Of Toddler Who Died At Daycare Speaks Out

Tuesday, May 22nd 2007, 9:04 pm

By: News On 6

A grieving family speaks out about the death of their 2 year-old. Joshua Minton died last week after detectives say he was found passed out and lifeless at a Tulsa daycare. News On 6 anchor Omar Villafranca reports the Minton family just buried Joshua on Tuesday, but say they'll work for change so other families don't have to deal with the same heartbreak they are going through.

State Department of Human Services workers found 2-year-old Joshua Minton unconscious without at heartbeat at a Midtown daycare last week. The little boy died, and now the daycare operator, Vicki Chiles, faces first degree murder charges.

The Minton family says they checked out the business before leaving Joshua at the daycare, but they didn't know previous complaints were made against Chiles.

"The parents could have been notified of the case that was already being investigated and should have been notified of what was being investigated,â€

Under Oklahoma law information gathered during a report of a licensing requirement "regarding children or their parents or other relatives shall be deemed confidential. The information is safeguarded, and can only be seen by anyone else only upon the order of a court."

The day before Joshua died the state filed child abuse charges against Chiles, accusing her of hitting an 8-year-old several times with a fly swatter. Atonda Minton says had she known about the allegations Joshuaâ€™s parents would have pulled him out of the daycare.

"The other parents have a right to know that there is a problem in that daycare. They have a right to know," Minton said.

"You don't leave your kids in the house if the smoke alarms are going off, or a bomb threat. It should have been an alarm going off in their head. This woman has already abused, she's going to do it again," said Minton.

Minton says she can't understand why it took several weeks to investigate the initial complaint of abuse, and she wants the process sped up.

"Abuse and neglect are top priority. And I think five weeks and six weeks is just too long for a top priority," she said. â€œIf it's top priority, it's today, it's today. You don't leave another child in that building with someone that's going to abuse them."

Atonda wants a law requiring all daycares to clearly post if it's being investigated by DHS, and what the allegations are.

Watch the video: Toddler Laid To Rest, Family Outraged Daycare Worker Was Under Investigation

Related stories:

5/17/2007 2-Year-Old Dies After Being Tied Up At Daycare, Says Police

5/18/2007 Selecting The Right Daycare For Your Children

5/18/2007 Daycare Worker Accused Of Killing Child Was Already Under Investigation

5/21/2007 Daycare Owner Accused Of Murder Had Previous Charges