Apex home day care closed after child's death

Apex, N.C. — Apex police are investigating a home day care after a child being cared for there died, said police spokeswoman Capt. Ann Stephens.

Authorities were called to Judy's Home Care, at 1300 Laura Duncan Road, on Oct. 26 on a report that a 3-month-old girl had stopped breathing. The child, Eliana Navy, was taken to WakeMed, where she died, Stephens said.

The state Department of Health and Human Services inspected the home after the child's death and found 17 violations ranging from inadequate supervision of children to the lack of an operating smoke detector and more minor issues related to record keeping.

DHHS suspended the license of owner and operator Judy Lucas the next day.

In a letter to Lucas, DHHS noted "conditions at the home represent immediate danger to the health, safety and welfare of children" being cared for there.

Lucas answered the door there Wednesday, but declined to comment.

Police are waiting on the final report on an official cause of death before completing their investigation.

"A provider of day care, just like any other person that provides care for children, ... certainly has certain standards of care that are expected to be met," Apex Police Chief Jack Lewis said.

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Latest Comments

Given the child's age, it sounds like an SIDS case. However, I would ato see the divison's report that has now beeen removed. I'd like to know how she continued to keep children with 17 violations. Oh, and StepanyJoy, seems like you have a false senes of security just because you pay more money for your childcare. I've worked in centers and have seen what goes on.

carroll74
November 5, 2009 12:51 p.m.

kmcombs- She could have been healthy, but if you research SIDS, it does happen to "seemingly" healthy children. There is no DEFINITE reason for it.

Tired of thoughtlessness
November 5, 2009 11:12 a.m.

Yep, I suspect SIDS, too. THe same thing happened to a friend of mine. Her child just rolled over and suffocated. Granted, precautions could and should be taken to prevent this. Was the child just laying on a bed? Was it on its back or side? Kids are suposed to be placed on their back, and you can certainly wedge a 3 month old in so he can't move or roll over.

JAT
November 5, 2009 10:09 a.m.

The report for this daycare has been removed from the NC Div of Child Development website. The link from WRAL no longer works either. I thought this was public information??

Lovemyson
November 5, 2009 9:32 a.m.

Praying for EVERYONE impacted by this. I can not begin to imagine the devastation.

I will not pronounce judgment until the facts are in. I haven't seen anything that specifically said the violations found directly contributed to this baby's tragin death. Until then, I think the most respectful way to handle the situation is to reserve judgment and pray for the families involved.

happymom
November 5, 2009 9:28 a.m.