Unlicensed day care shuts down after 8-month-old dies

EAST CANTON, Ohio (WOIO/Gray News) - An unlicensed day care in Ohio was shut down after an 8-month-old baby died while in its care.

The Stark County Coroner’s Office said the baby, identified as Grant Simmons, died March 10 at a local hospital.

According to the civil complaint, officers and EMS arrived at the home in East Canton, where Simmons was having a medical emergency.

Paramedics began life-saving measures before taking Simmons to Aultman Hospital, where the 8-month-old later died.

“The East Canton Police Department extends its deepest condolences to the family during this difficult time,” the East Canton Police Department said in a statement. “The department remains committed to conducting a thorough and complete investigation.”

Inside the home, officers learned the day care facility operators were unlicensed, according to the complaint.

The complaint said one of two operators disclosed she cared for between five and 10 children at the home in exchange for about $45 a day, paid in cash.

The operator reportedly told officers she did not use baby monitors or cameras, had no emergency plan in the event of a fire, had no CPR training and did not have appropriate supervision or sleeping arrangements for infants and toddlers, according to the complaint.

On Tuesday, March 17, the village learned that the operators planned to reopen the day care on Monday, March 23, and the village replied with a notice of violations and the civil complaint.

The temporary restraining order to shut down the unlicensed day care was granted on Friday, March 20, and a preliminary injunction hearing is set for April 3 at 9 a.m.

As of Saturday, March 21, no criminal charges have been announced and the investigation is ongoing.