Lenoir daycare worker bonds out of jail as court docs reveal more about toddler’s death ...Middle East

LENOIR, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) -- A daycare worker charged in connection with the death of a 16-month-old girl in Lenoir is out of jail after posting a $500,000 bond, as newly released court documents offer more details about the heartbreaking incident.

Alexandra Lee Coffey, 29, a former employee at Creative Beginnings of Lenoir, was released from the Caldwell County Detention Center after posting bond, officials confirmed with Queen City News on Thursday.

She is facing a charge of felony involuntary manslaughter in the death of a toddler identified in court documents by her initials, M.A.M.

According to those documents, the toddler, a girl born on December 25, 2023, was put down for a nap around 11:45 a.m. on Monday, May 19. She was found unresponsive at approximately 2:30 p.m., prompting daycare staff to begin CPR immediately.

Emergency crews rushed the child to the hospital, but she was later pronounced dead by Dr. Snyder at 3:19 p.m., court documents state.

Investigators have since requested a search warrant to gather potential evidence related to the cause and manner of the toddler’s death. Items listed in the warrant include a multi-colored blanket, a white mattress cover, and a Lorex DVR security camera believed to contain surveillance footage from inside the daycare.

The Creative Beginnings daycare was ordered to shut down on Wednesday by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. While the facility had passed its most recent inspection, records show previous violations related to safe sleep practices and incomplete staff training, concerns that have taken on new significance in light of the child’s death.

Records with NCDHHS show that on August 20, 2024, during an unannounced visit, officials discovered several violations including, "Bed, cribs, playpens, cots or mats were not placed at least 18" apart or separated by partitions when in use. In space #7 and #13 sleeping mats were not separated at least 18" apart or separated with/by partitions."

Coffey made her first court appearance on Thursday, May 22. The investigation remains ongoing, with police continuing to gather evidence and urging anyone with information to come forward.

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

Anyone with further information is asked to contact the Lenoir Police Department at 828-757-2100 or Crime Stoppers at 828-758-8300.

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