JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
A Hinds county couple is grieving the death of their infant after he was left in a home daycare center, one they wish they had investigated thoroughly before trusting with their precious child.
On Jan. 15 Henry Henderson picked up his two and a half month old son, Ethan Christopher, from Bizzy Bee Daycare in Jackson, an unlicensed facility. It was only his second day in the care of owner Brenda Randles.
The 41-year-old father said there were more than 15 children in a front room when the owner went to get Ethan. When she returned the infant was unresponsive, and Henderson said he was forced to perform CPR because no one at the center could.
"His color was not right. He had stuff coming out of his nose a reddish milky substance of some sort. That's what made me ask her what did you do? What did you give him," said Henry Henderson.
Franseca Henderson, 37. said she worked with Randles previously and knew she owned the daycare for about 10 years and thought she was licensed.
"We don't want what happened to our baby to happen to someone else's child. Make sure that you are aware of the care that you're placing your child or your children in," said the anguished mother.
Hinds County Coroner Sharon Grisham Stewart said Ethan had no internal or external injuries or diseases. The official cause of death is undetermined.
His death is similar to SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, but the Hendersons believe being left alone attributed to his death. They requested an investigation by the State Health Department.
"For some reason these types of facilities seem to slip up under the radar in the State of Mississippi, and they're not being governed or watched," added the frustrated father.
Liz Sharlot, Director of Communications at the Mississippi State Department of Health said the agency investigation revealed that Brenda Randles had 13 children at the home at the time and was found in compliance with state law.
Randles provided birth certificates proving that eight children were relatives. Regulations state a care provider is mandated to have a license if taking care of six or more children, unless they are relatives.
MSNewsNow contacted Randles, but she declined to comment. State Health Department officials said they have had no other complaints against her facility.
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On Jan. 15 Henry Henderson picked up his two and a half month old son, Ethan Christopher, from Bizzy Bee Daycare in Jackson, an unlicensed facility. (Source: Henderson family)
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