A six-year-old autistic girl died after being left on a school bus in sweltering conditions in Memphis. Winter Jones was discovered unresponsive in a van parked outside Kid University daycare centre on August 13 and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Childcare Workers Charged
Childcare workers Sabrina Powe, 43, and Tametria Norry, 49, have been arrested and charged with aggravated child neglect, criminally negligent homicide, and destruction of and tampering with governmental records. A third staff member, Amilya Hardin, was also indicted in connection with the child's death.
Norry has been identified as the van's driver, while Powe served as assistant director of Kid University and Hardin worked as a daycare assistant.
Investigation Findings
The Tennessee Department of Human Services launched an investigation into Kid University following the girl's death, concluding that the facility had failed to meet numerous transportation safety requirements. Staff members reportedly neglected to follow correct vehicle inspection protocols after children had been dropped off, and the transport log was found to contain errors.
Authorities also confirmed that compulsory walk-throughs to ensure all children had left the vehicle were never conducted.
Family's Response
Winter's mother, Nakia Cloman, received a telephone call from the daycare centre after her daughter was discovered. One member of staff reportedly said: "Winter was left on the bus" and "she's barely breathing."
Her father described the ordeal as an "absolute nightmare", attributing it to "people who were too busy doing nothing to where they couldn't make sure Winter was taken care of properly."
