Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Kentucky and other States, day care providers have a duty to provide for a safe and clean educational and learning environment for the children under their care. Day care providers should be trained to notice or observe signs of abuse and neglect. If a day care provider has a reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect that is taking place outside of the day care center, the day care provider has a duty to report such information to the local Kentucky social service agency. In Floyd County, Kentucky, a day care center was shut down after a toddler died as a result of alleged abuse and neglect. The child’s family caregivers have been arrested for the crime. State authorities closed down the Kentucky day care center and will conduct a more thorough investigation as to the cause of the death, preventability of the death, and whether any day care providers failed to properly report abuse or neglect to authorities. First and foremost, it is the best interest of the child that should control when a child is the suspected victim of abuse or neglect in the home setting. See Floyd County Kentucky Day Care Center Shut Down Following Toddler’s Death.
In Minnesota, it is estimated that there are 150,000 unlicensed day care centers throughout the State. Yes, that is correct one hundred fifty thousand unlicensed day care centers. Most of these “day care centers” care for a friend, neighbor or relative in their own home or the child’s home. If the day care center is registered, then the day care center can qualify for funds through the state’s child care assistance program. The laws and regulations pertaining to these Minnesota day care centers have changed recently to require first aid training and CPR training in addition to background checks. Some basic training of child care providers can help save a life or prevent serious personal injuries from taking place in a day care center. See 
In Missouri and other States, children are at risk in day care centers during sleep time or nap time. Many day care administrators and care givers do not get the proper training or lack the proper knowledge as to the risk to infants and young children during nap time. It has been reported that from the years 2007 – 2010, at least forty five children died in child care from causes other than existing illness or medical problem. Of these deaths, thirty five occurred while the baby / infant was napping or sleeping at the day care center. Medical experts and pediatricians point out the risks to children who are placed on their abdomen / stomach to sleep. There is also dangers of suffocation from bedding and pillows. Furthermore, some cribs are unsafe for babies and toddlers. All the proper safety techniques in the world cannot replace the role of the day care provider to properly supervise and monitor children during nap time or sleep time.
In Bedford County, Virginia and other cities / towns, children reply on school bus and public transportation. Many special needs children rely on school bus transportation to travel to and from school. Most bus drivers and aides are quite attentive to the children. Unfortunately, some drivers and aides are not prepared to work with children. Some school / transportation employees lack the training, patience, and / or common sense to work with children especially special needs children. In Bedford County Virginia, a lawsuit was filed seeking damages associated with the battery of a 12 year old autistic study by Bedford County School employees. The incident was captured on videotape. See 
In Virginia and other States, parents rely on day care centers to supervise and educate their children in a safe and closely monitored environment. Unfortunately, some day care centers fail to honor their responsibilities and lose track of children at the day care center, on field trips, or during transportation trips. Since children lack safety awareness and often times have poor judgment in situations of crisis or danger, children, who are left unattended or unsupervised, often times suffer serious personal injuries. Some even die due to lack of proper supervision. It was recently reported that a child went missing from a Norfolk day care center. While the child was ultimately located and did not suffer any injuries except for being scaed and dirty, the fact that he went missing should cause concern for the day care center, parents, and the community. See