GA - Daycare Owner, Amanda Harris Hickey, 45, Charged with Murder of 4 Month Old, Dunwoody, Feb 2021

[twt11]

Dunwoody day care owner charged with murder after infant’s death

 

[Filly]

From twt11 link.

Amanda Harris Hickey placed the four month old boy on his stomach in a Pak And Play. She didn't check on him for over two and a half hours. The baby was unresponsive. Paramedics were there in minutes.

Her in home daycare is licensed for six children. She had at least eight children in her care.

Surveillance tape showed she placed the boy on his stomach. She claims he must have rolled over. The family wants to keep their names and baby's private.

 

[borndem]

From twt11 link.

Amanda Harris Hickey placed the four month old boy on his stomach in a Pak And Play. She didn't check on him for over two and a half hours. The baby was unresponsive. Paramedics were there in minutes.

Her in home daycare is licensed for six children. She had at least eight children in her care.

Surveillance tape showed she placed the boy on his stomach. She claims he must have rolled over. The family wants to keep their names and baby's private.

Four months old is at the at the early-to-normal stage of being able to roll over, but his mom/home caregiver would probably have observed it at home, IMO, or at least the home caregiver would have observed him trying. I'm thinking 5 months is the average age for rolling over.
The surveillance tape tells the tale, IMO. Did the daycare owner routinely place babies at this age on their stomachs?
Hink-ish, indeed.
Also sounds like she may have another violation WRT not having enuff staff in the daycare -- especially for infants. SMH -- but I don't know the Ga. State requirements for adult-to-child ratios.

Those poor, grieving -- and probably mad as he!! -- parents. Oh, I cannot imagine.

 

[twt11]

Photo of the baby. So precious. Such a sad case. The funeral was today.

I can't post the link on here but someone added a photo of the baby on the website. His name is Charlie Cronmiller. Such a sweet face.

 

[MimosaMornings]

State closes Dunwoody day care after death of 4-month-old

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Warrants said Hickey was watching at least seven other children at the time. State guidelines mandate that home day cares accommodate only six children and two additional children on a part-time capacity.

Hickey’s lawyer said she plans to plead not guilty and will seek to be released on bail. She remained jailed Tuesday, according to DeKalb County records.
https://www.trumbulltimes.com/news/article/Warrant-Caretaker-put-baby-facedown-for-nap-15934880.php

According to WSB, Hickey's attorney requested a $200,000 bond during Thursday's hearing. The request was ultimately denied after prosecutors shared video showing Hickey holding an unidentified baby upside down by its legs.

Documents allege Hickey told investigators she put the 4-month-old down for a nap in a playpen and laid him on his back, in line with state regulations, but the child rolled over onto his stomach. Security video, however, showed Hickey actually placed the infant facedown and did not return to check on him for hours, according to authorities.
Bond denied for Georgia daycare owner charged with murder, video shows her holding baby by its legs

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Hickey's charges in the warrants are listed as felony murder and second-degree child cruelty, also a felony charge.

The incident report also mentions two Dunwoody Police detectives arriving, interviewing Hickey and her husband, reviewing video surveillance, collecting evidence, and taking photographs.

According to the report, there were seven additional kids at the daycare during the incident, but none needed medical attention and all were picked up by their parents as detectives began investigating.

On Saturday, Hickey appeared before DeKalb Magistrate Judge Phyllis R. Williams, with her attorney, waiving her right to hear the judge read the two arrest warrants.

Hickey will remain in jail until she has a bond hearing in Superior Court - a Magistrate Court judge does not have the authority to decide one way or another about issuing a bond.

Hickey's attorney, Tracy S. Reeves, Jr., said he would request both a bond hearing in Superior Court and a probable cause hearing in Magistrate Court.

Georgia's Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS), and the Dunwoody Police Department are now working together on the case, described as an open investigation.

While the incident report and arrest warrants have been released, the 911 call Hickey made isn't being released due to the investigation still being open, according to DeKalb County Police.

However, late Monday DECAL ordered an emergency closure for the Family Child Care Learning Home Operated by Hickey.

"This action is taking place in conjunction with an investigation by Dunwoody Police who have charged Ms. Hickey with felony murder and cruelty to children after the death of a four-month-old child in her care," the agency said in a statement.

DECAL said that Hickey had 48 hours to appeal the action, however in an update, the department said that she did not appeal. As a result, DECAL said the daycare will be closed for the next 21 days while it continues to investigate the child's death.

"If we determine revoking her license is necessary, the program will remain closed until a hearing is held before an administrative law judge," DECAL said.

Meanwhile, DECAL said that parents who were impacted by this incident and are looking for alternative childcare can find resources by calling the toll-free number 1-877-ALL-GA-KIDS or visiting QualityRated.org.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with information that Hickey did not file an appeal to DECAL's emergency closure order.
Amanda Hickey daycare owner murder charge arrest warrant | 11alive.com

 

[InItToWinIt]

Dunwoody daycare owner Amanda Hickey denied bond | 11alive.com

Bond denied.

 

[BrownRice]

I’m confused about the murder charge. I know it’s no longer advised to place a baby on his stomach due to increased chances of SIDS. Is that murder tho? Does GA have requirements for licensed daycare providers that stomach sleeping is against the law? Is a daycare provider required to check on sleeping infant x times an hour?

I’m just thinking there has to be more to this story.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Dunwoody daycare provider charged with infant's murder nears trial

A hearing was held Monday for a Dunwoody daycare worker charged with murder in the death of a four-month-old infant in her care.

www.fox5atlanta.com

The judge did not rule on whether the surveillance video will be admissible. A trial date is set for July 5.

 

[ifindedout]

Oct. 13, 2023: Guilty plea, Hickey sentenced to 35 years

Dunwoody daycare provider sentenced to prison for death of 4-month-old boy

The former Dunwoody daycare provider will spend the next 30 years in prison for the death of a 4-month-old boy in her care.

www.fox5atlanta.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. - A former Dunwoody daycare provider will spend decades in prison after the death of a 4-month-old infant in her care.

In court Friday, 45-year-old Amanda Harris Hickey pleaded guilty to nine counts of cruelty to children, reckless conduct, and simple battery. She took an Alford plea - which allows her to plead guilty while maintaining her innocence - to a charge of second-degree murder in connection with the boy's death.

Dunwoody police said Hickey is the owner of Little Lovey Daycare located at her home on Leisure Lane. According to the arrest warrant, Hickey placed the Charlie Cronmiller down in a Pack 'n Play for a nap on the afternoon of Feb. 3, 2021.

[...]

After her plea, a DeKalb County Superior Court judge sentenced Hickey to 35 years with 30 to serve.