News Summary
In Bossier City, two employees of Little Sprouts daycare have been arrested following an incident where five children ingested Orbeez water beads. The ingestion led to serious health concerns, with one child requiring intensive care. Both employees face multiple counts of cruelty to juveniles. Parents have expressed outrage over the daycare’s lack of communication regarding the dangers of the toy. The situation is under investigation, highlighting the need for stringent safety measures in daycare settings.
Bossier City – Two employees of Little Sprouts daycare have been arrested after several young children ingested Orbeez water beads, prompting serious health concerns. The incident, which occurred in July, involved five children consuming the beads, with one child requiring intensive care.
The daycare employees arrested are Shakira Danielle Adams, 25, and Mitra Donyetta Graham, 49. Both women are facing six counts of cruelty to juveniles in connection with the incident. Orbeez are small, colorful beads that expand when exposed to water, and when ingested, they can potentially cause serious internal injuries and even death.
According to parents, including Kelsey Hyatt, symptoms among the affected children included projectile vomiting and a high fever reaching up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. The situation escalated quickly, leading to two of the children, including Hyatt’s daughter, requiring a visit to the emergency room, while one child was admitted into intensive care.
The Bossier City Police Department has confirmed that an investigation is currently ongoing. Public Information Officer Louis Johnson provided limited details on the children’s conditions but emphasized the seriousness of the situation. Reports indicate that the incident took place around 7:45 a.m., shortly after the children were dropped off at the daycare.
The daycare’s former owner, Amy Akin, stated that the daycare took immediate action upon learning of the incident and is fully cooperating with authorities. Akin emphasized that the safety and well-being of the children remain the top priority; however, she refrained from elaborating further due to pending litigation.
In the aftermath of the incident, parents have voiced their outrage and concern about the lack of communication from the daycare regarding the potential dangers posed by the water beads. Reports also indicate that some employees who were aware of the incident but failed to report it have since been terminated. Akin has offered to cover medical expenses incurred due to the incident through the daycare’s insurance.
The ingestion of Orbeez water beads has raised alarms nationwide, as similar incidents have prompted warnings from health officials regarding the hazards associated with these toys. Orbeez are often marketed to children for sensory play, but the risks of choking and internal injury are serious concerns that are being highlighted following this incident.
As the investigation unfolds, the Bossier City community remains vigilant for the safety of its children. The daycare is currently under scrutiny, and the actions taken by employees and management will be closely examined as authorities work to ensure such incidents do not occur in the future.
The impact of this event extends beyond immediate health concerns, prompting discussions among parents and caregivers about the safety of toys and activities provided in daycare settings. As more information becomes available, the community looks forward to resolutions that prioritize child safety and well-being.
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Additional Resources
- KSLA News: 2 Bossier daycare workers arrested
- Wikipedia: Choking
- Shreveport-Bossier Advocate: Children eat water beads at daycare
- Google Search: Orbeez water beads
- KTBS: Children ingest water beads at daycare
- Google Scholar: Child safety daycare
- Bossier Press: Barksdale seeks local childcare providers
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child care
- Shreveport-Bossier Advocate: Rising child care costs
- Google News: Daycare safety
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