Two-year-old left unattended in daycare car, owner set to appear in court

LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – What began as a fun field trip to the movie theater, ended up being a frightening trip to the hospital for a Louisville two-year-old and her mother.

Two weeks ago, Alicia Williams dropped off her daughter Harmony at the House of Fame Daycare.

The daycare was taking more than two dozen students on a field trip to see The Lion King that day.

When they got to the theater all of the kids got out of the vehicle, except for Harmony.

“I don’t want any other parent to have to go through that like ever,” said Williams. “No parent should have to go through that. When I got there (to the ER) they had her in a room and I could hear her crying, so I was relieved that she was crying. I knew she was okay because she was crying. When I got in there that’s when the EMT lady told me that she had been left in the car for over two hours.”

Williams said she was told the owner of the daycare eventually realized Harmony was missing and immediately when back to the car where the two-year-old was found.

“I was very very upset because I don’t see how anybody can let that happen, especially a daycare provider,” Williams expressed.

To this day, Williams said she still hasn’t received an explanation on how her daughter was left in the vehicle.

“I don’t think she intentionally did it, but it was still carelessness at the end of the day,” said Williams. “That’s why you have protocol to do headcounts and things like that when you have a business like that. I’m not saying that it was intentional, but it’s still measures that you follow to make sure stuff like that doesn’t happen.”

When police and medical help arrived Harmony was responsive and was immediately rushed to the hospital.

“The people that own the movie theaters had got her out and were trying to cool her body down by bathing her in ice chips, and just kind of rubbing her down with ice chips trying to get her temperature back down,” said Edward Hunt, Louisville Assistant Police Chief.

Hunt said he doesn’t think there was any criminal activity behind the two-year-old being left in the vehicle.

“From the investigation, I think it was an accident,” said Hunt. “I think the daycare owner said it was just a mistake.”

However, despite it being an accident, Williams is still seeking justice for her daughter.

An investigation is underway.

The owner of the daycare has been summoned to appear in court for a “Contributing to the Neglect of a Child” charge.

Now, the Louisville mother is hoping her scare prevents something like this from ever happening to another child.

“I went and I pressed charges,” the mother explained. “I told them whatever they can do I want it to be done. I didn’t feel like it was worth it for her to still have her daycare open until after the investigation was closed, because she shouldn’t have other kids under her care until it’s solved.”

Williams also filed a report with the Mississippi State Department of Health regarding this incident.

An MSDH spokesperson released a comment saying, “We did receive a complaint and are investigating with our legal department. Once the investigation is complete, we will issue a report.”

Harmony has since recovered from the incident and is doing fine.

WCBI reached out to the owner of the daycare.

She said she does not want to comment on the matter at this time.

The owner will appear in court on September 10th.