Police Investigate Death Of Infant In Northeast Philadelphia
By Walt Hunter, Todd Quinones and Dan Wing
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Police are investigating the death of an infant who was being cared for inside what was believed to be a daycare center in Northeast Philadelphia. Police and officials say they have not been able to locate a license for the facility.
Authorities say they received a call from a residence in the Oxford Circle Section of the city slightly before noon Tuesday about an unresponsive child.
The four-month-old baby was rushed to St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, but was later pronounced dead.
The cause of the infant's death was not immediately known.
A woman was taken into custody for questioning, but foul play is not suspected.
"The fire department and police department were all running into the house," said Thomas Wilkerson, a neighbor who told Eyewitness News it appears children receive good treatment inside the daycare center. "The cops stopped in the middle of the street and it looked like they were working on the baby."
Investigators say they are checking reports that there may have been as many as 20 children inside the row home.
According to the Department of Welfare Child Development and Early Learning, "Anyone caring for three or more unrelated children in their home must be licensed and registered with the Department of Public Welfare."
In New Jersey, daycare centers with six or more children under the age of 13 must be licensed.
"I don't know if she had a license. I just noticed this right now, but I really didn't care because the quality of care she gave my daughter was good," said one resident, who wished to remain unidentified.
Many parents who sent their kids here are Brazilian and speak Portuguese.
The daycare will not be open on Wednesday.
The investigation is ongoing.
Click the links below to review inspection reports and find out if your daycare provider is licensed:
Pennsylvania- CLICK HERE
New Jersey - CLICK HERE
