Daycare shut down, employee arrested after toddler’s death in Lenoir ...Middle East

LENOIR, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) -- A Lenoir daycare has been shut down, and one of its employees has been arrested following the tragic death of a 16-month-old child this week.

Creative Beginnings of Lenoir was ordered to close by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday, May 21, just two days after a toddler went into cardiac arrest at the facility and later died at the hospital.

Now, a 29-year-old employee, Alexandra Lee Coffey, has been arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter. Police said the charge stems from their ongoing investigation, which includes preliminary findings from the NC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Coffey was taken into custody and is currently being held at the Caldwell County Detention Center on a $500,000 bond. Her first court appearance is scheduled for Thursday, May 22.

The daycare had a recent clean inspection, but records show it previously violated safe sleep policies and failed to meet staff training requirements. The state said the emergency closure was necessary to ensure the safety of other children.

“We extend our continued condolences to the family of the child and all those impacted by this heartbreaking incident,” the Lenoir Police Department said Wednesday.

Police said the investigation is still active and are asking anyone with information to call the Lenoir Police Department at 828-757-2100 or Crime Stoppers at 828-758-8300.

MORE FROM QCNEWS.COM