The Office of Early Childhood is reviewing its policies after the deaths of two babies at separate, private daycares in the state this week.
There are also troubling allegations that one of the daycares might have been operating illegally.
Officials from the Office of Early Childhood delivered a warning to Rebecca Wilder to stop providing child care at a home on Logans Way in Sterling.
This follows the death of nine-month-old Kamryn Barnett, who had been found unresponsive in the home on Thursday.
In a letter to Governor Dan Malloy, the Early Childhood Commissioner wrote that, “We have reason to believe the child care provider was operating illegally after having her license revoked by our office last year, in 2015, for substantial non-compliance with health and safety requirements.”
“How many children may be in places that are unlicensed and do parents realize their kids are in unlicensed programs?” said Faith Vos Winkel, an assistant child advocate.
Those questions are now part of a review by the Office of the Child Advocate.
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It’s one of several investigations prompted by the death in Sterling and also the other death this week of a baby in Stamford.
Police called the passing of two-month-old Bella Redondo a homicide after she was found with trauma to her head.
The state has now suspended the license of Nydia Carillo – the primary day care provider of Little Bears Beginnings Daycare.
A move to make sure no children are at that site while police investigate.
In total the Office of the Child Advocate said there’s been three children who have died this year in some type of child care facility, two of which it said were reportedly unlicensed.
“We want families to have good quality daycare and that hopefully comes with licensing and regulation,” said Vos Winkel.
Licenses can be checked on the state website.
As for the Sterling case, police said the death does not appear to be criminal.
Still officials are prepared to go to court to make sure the daycare in Sterling does not reopen.
