Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Scalded, drowned baby was in tub for a nap [10 month old put in bath tub for nap dies]
The Grand Rapids Press ^ | Wednesday, June 25, 2003 | Theresa D. Mcclellan

Posted on 06/25/2003 11:22:28 AM PDT by FourPeas

Scalded, drowned baby was in tub for a nap

Wednesday, June 25, 2003By Theresa D. Mcclellan
The Grand Rapids Press


LOWELL -- The baby who died in a bathtub at a Lowell day-care center was placed in the empty tub for a nap because there was no other place to sleep, state investigators learned.

Investigators determined the child suffered severe burns on her right leg and all 10 toes, according to a report by state investigators from Consumer and Industry Services.

The state has closed the in-home child care center where 10-month-old Ashley Woern, daughter of Allen and Cathy Woern, died Thursday.

The Kent County Sheriff's Department said it has not completed its investigation.

Jim Sinnamon, director of consultation, training and child day care licensing with the Bureau of Family Services, a division of Consumer and Industry Services, said the child was found Thursday floating in a bathtub at the day-care center, operated by Debra K. Stickney, 52, of 3101 Kissing Rock Ave. in Lowell.

Stickney's home has been licensed since 1987 for six children. She told licensing investigators she routinely cared for more than the six children she was licensed for, according to the state report.

On June 19, she had 11 unrelated children in her home, the state report said. Sinnamon said he doesn't know why.

"I don't know if people thought she was exceptionally good or what. There are a lot of providers in the area. Maybe there a lot of siblings; maybe it's price," he said

On the day of Ashley's death, Stickney wrapped up the 10-month-old girl in a blanket and put her down for a nap in an empty bathtub at 12:05 p.m.

Stickney placed another 1-year-old down for a nap in a crib. Both children were sleeping on the second floor of the home, Sinnamon said. Other children in the home were playing or napping.

At 12:15 p.m. Stickney left the day-care home, leaving two caregivers, ages 17 and 28, in charge.

Sinnamon said the two caregivers, whom he did not name, reported hearing the baby in the tub crying at 2:30 p.m., but no one checked on her, Sinnamon said.

He said Stickney returned to the home at 2:45 p.m. and did not check on the upstairs children until 3:25 p.m., when she found Ashley floating dead in the bathtub. She had severe burns on her lower right leg and on the bottom of all ten toes, the report stated.

"The child was napping for 3 1/2 hours, and within that time frame you would expect a provider to look in on a child. That did not happen," Sinnamon said.

"All we know is that the child was put in a bathtub for a nap, and there weren't adequate checks. When they went to see the child, she was drowned," he said.

Sinnamon speculated that a 10-month-old "could potentially turn on a faucet."

"This is a new one for me, and we hear a lot. This is really sad. She was just 10 months old," he said.

Neighbors of the child-care center declined to speak to the Press. Calls to the home were unanswered.

Ashley's mother, Cathy Woern, said she is "just trying to heal" from the loss of her child. The baby's funeral was Monday at the Roth-Gerst Chapel in Lowell.

The family's pastor, the Rev. Gordon Barry, said he told the family they live in a world where accidents happen. Barry said the family has a large circle of supportive friends.

"I don't say it's any kind of judgment on the parent or a message from God to get their attention. We live in a world that is not perfect and accidents happen," he said.

He said it is important for the family to "get through this so there is no guilt and second-guessing."

Barry said he also called the day-care provider.

"I don't know her, but wanted to check in with her," he said. "It's devastating for everybody. Everybody is hurting."



TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Front Page News; News/Current Events; US: Michigan
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-59 last
To: raybbr
He's a real cutie, that's for sure. Give him a raspberry on the belly for me.
41 posted on 06/25/2003 1:43:20 PM PDT by wimpycat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: wimpycat
Belly blow! We do that to the Dread Boston Salty, and it paralyzes him. He just lies on his back, stomach bare to the world, and waits for it to happen again.
42 posted on 06/25/2003 1:44:54 PM PDT by Xenalyte (I may not agree with your bumper sticker, but I'll defend to the death your right to stick it)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: FourPeas
This sounds like a babysitter tourtured the kid then drowned it to cover her tracks.

If the kid turned on the water, who turned it off??

How did the kid get burned when hot water comes out cold for a minute or so?

If the kid got burned, why didn't the sitter her any screams?

This seems like a murder, period.
43 posted on 06/25/2003 1:45:30 PM PDT by PatrioticAmerican (If the only way an American can get elected is through Mexican votes, we have a war to be waged.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PatrioticAmerican
I tend to agree with your theories, mainly due to the missing information in the press release. I am not saying the press excluded the info to protect someone, but did so to protect the police. By that I mean the ability to press charges and not have them dismissed due to something stated in the press.

Here is the clue to what went on.

At 12:15 p.m. Stickney left the day-care home, leaving two caregivers, ages 17 and 28, in charge.

Let's see, 28 year old man and 17 year old girl? (And just what the hell is a caregiver? Especially one that ignores a babies cries?)

Sinnamon said the two caregivers, whom he did not name, reported hearing the baby in the tub crying at 2:30 p.m., but no one checked on her, Sinnamon said.

Two 'caregivers' who didn't check on a crying baby left in a tub, because they were partying and didn't want to be bothered.

44 posted on 06/25/2003 1:52:38 PM PDT by UCANSEE2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: raybbr
I had a cutie like that (actually two.) Now the younger is about 6'4" and looks down on me, calls me "shortie" ( I am a 6' shrimp.)
45 posted on 06/25/2003 1:52:56 PM PDT by justshutupandtakeit (RATS will use any means to denigrate George Bush's Victory.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: FourPeas
It also depends on what the water heater temperature was set at. A good institution would not set it hot enough to scald.
46 posted on 06/25/2003 1:53:23 PM PDT by Pikachu_Dad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: null and void
Mine turned 10 on 11 June...we both blinked...
47 posted on 06/25/2003 2:21:37 PM PDT by in the Arena
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: UCANSEE2
Potheads? Crackheads? Drunks?
48 posted on 06/25/2003 2:26:45 PM PDT by PatrioticAmerican (If the only way an American can get elected is through Mexican votes, we have a war to be waged.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: wimpycat
You're right- it IS possible. You can't hide from any possibility in the search for the truth.
49 posted on 06/25/2003 2:40:18 PM PDT by agooga
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: Cultural Jihad
you're wierd.
50 posted on 06/25/2003 2:47:12 PM PDT by agooga
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: agooga
Of course. However, it's better to look at the likely first, and if you can eliminate the likely, then you start looking at the possible. The two "caregivers" and the daycare owner haven't cleared themselves yet. The two likeliest scenarios are that one of them drowned the baby on purpose, and that an older child did it (by accident or on purpose) while the two caregivers had left the house or were otherwise not paying any sort of attention. The baby doing it herself is the least likely scenario.
51 posted on 06/25/2003 3:27:12 PM PDT by wimpycat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: Xenalyte
The right to pursue happiness is far from an 'assumed right.' It's what compels most self-governed people to attend to jury duty on horrific cases.
52 posted on 06/25/2003 5:13:52 PM PDT by Cultural Jihad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: FourPeas
Thanks for the complement.

It's not a tag. It's a bottle cap on a 2 quart bottle. However, do not let him see a tag for there is no peace until he gets his hands on it.
53 posted on 06/25/2003 5:15:25 PM PDT by raybbr
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: FourPeas
Another child got mischievous most likely.
Either way, very sad.
54 posted on 06/25/2003 5:16:59 PM PDT by A CA Guy (God Bless America, God bless and keep safe our fighting men and women.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: raybbr
How sweet he looks--my baby will be 10 months old on July 5th (a boy). His hair is getting all curly in the back and he tries to climb everything in sight (dogs, furniture, etc). He's going to see his grandparents for the first time in 6 months on Friday--they can't wait!
55 posted on 06/25/2003 5:18:23 PM PDT by Okies love Dubya 2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: agooga
Your happiness wasn't robbed at hearing of a cruel death in your society?! Of course it was.
56 posted on 06/25/2003 5:24:07 PM PDT by Cultural Jihad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: Cultural Jihad
I thought the law was what compels us to sit on juries.
57 posted on 06/25/2003 5:27:54 PM PDT by Xenalyte (I may not agree with your bumper sticker, but I'll defend to the death your right to stick it)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 52 | View Replies]

To: FourPeas
At the very least it sounds like negligence that led to death... even if that baby somehow turned on the water, it is simply unthinkable to completely ignore a baby that long when it is in your care.

As others have mentioned, though, scalding/burns are a common form of child abuse... especially feet and legs and with the deliberate use of scalding hot water :-(
58 posted on 06/25/2003 7:09:24 PM PDT by Tamzee (Liberalism.... the willing suspense of rationality.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: FourPeas
Don't you also normally HEAR when the water turns on in the shower/tub? It has made a distinct sound in every place I've ever lived. Baby in tub+Water Sounds+Baby Crying=Run to Tub. Of course, if you're dumb enough to put the baby in there in the first place, especially without knob guards... I think the theories about it being a cover story are probably correct.
59 posted on 06/25/2003 8:28:40 PM PDT by ReagansShinyHair
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-59 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson