HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio) - The Office of Early Childhood released a report Friday that finds multiple issues that led up to the death of a toddler in July at the YWCA in New Britain.
The violations that led up to the death of Saunti Reynolds, who was two-years-old, included:
- Failing to minimize choking hazards when serving food to children, including by cutting food into pieces 1/2 inches in diameter or less for toddler-age children
- Failing to remove toddler-age children from the immediate area of the medical emergency for about 10 minutes
- Failing to properly implement first aid and CPR procedures
- Failing to provide adequate supervision of the children during meals
- Failing to immediately call 911
- Failing to ensure all staff are trained in first aid and/or CPR
- Inadequate ratio of teachers to students
Reynolds had died while choking on a meatball.
The YWCA, in a statement, says that it "...takes the state’s investigation very seriously. We have cooperated fully throughout this process and continue to work closely with our licensing partners to address all identified issues. Our focus remains on providing for the care and safety of the children and families who rely on us.”
Reynolds' mother has been demanding answers and accountability in the loss of her firstborn.