Owner of day care where infant died faces charges

Apex, N.C. — Apex police have charged the owner of a home day care where a 3-month-old died last month with violating state day care statutes.

Judy Register Lucas was arrested Monday on four felony counts and was released on a $5,000 secured bond.

Authorities were called to Judy's Home Care, at 1300 Laura Duncan Road, on Oct. 26 on a report that an infant had stopped breathing.

The child, Eliana Navy, was taken to WakeMed, where she died. The cause of death hasn't been released yet.

Police said the criminal violations against Lucas occurred between Oct. 1 and Oct. 23 and didn't cover the day the infant died.

Following the girl's death, the state Department of Health and Human Services inspected the home and found 17 violations, ranging from inadequate supervision of children to the lack of an operating smoke detector to poor record keeping.

DHHS suspended Lucas' license, saying conditions at her home "represent immediate danger to the health, safety and welfare of children" being cared for there.

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Latest Comments

What does goverment help have to do with this at all? I paid just as much to send my child there! Yes, my child was there and yes I would leave him with her again! She is part of our "family" and I feel so much pain for her! We love you Mrs. Judy.

thebridges
November 24, 2009 7:40 p.m.

I can truly say there are many homes with realtives keeping more than 3-4 children (grandchildren) so the childs parents can get ahead and not accepting one dime for provision of this childcare. And many of those homes would have more than 17 violations as far as the safety board scores as a violation.

jrfergerson
November 24, 2009 4:20 p.m.

Actually, I'm pro choice. Everyone has the right to choose. If you are not financially stable enough to bring a child into this expensive world then you should have that choice. I have had a job since the time I was 12 years old (I'm 42 now) and I have always paid my way with my own money. I live a modest lifestyle and I probably live below my means. My family and children are taken care of because of our intelligent choices over the years. As far as I'm concerned there is no such thing as credit. I'm not saying that gov't assistance is not needed in some cases but a lot of it could be avoided with some simple common sense.

Wolfpack7070
November 24, 2009 4:18 p.m.

I'm sure that there is alot about this story that we are not aware of.....we are not here to judge this woman....praying for this poor woman and the parents of the poor child that passed away...