Child’s death at daycare investigated
County coroner, Chris Blackwell, left, talks with other law officers after a 3-year-old male infant was found unresponsive Monday afternoon at TLC Daycare and Learning Center, 221 Rushingtown Road. The child was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy was ordered to determine the cause of death of a 3-year-old infant found unresponsive at a Salem daycare center Monday afternoon. Officials feel the report may clear up questions surrounding the death of the infant.
County medical examiner Chris Blackwell ordered the autopsy after he and a deputy were summoned to TLC Daycare and Learning Center Monday afternoon. Blackwell pronounced the infant dead at the scene.
Blackwell and a Walthall deputy arrived at the scene shortly after being notified by a 911 call at 3:38 p.m.
The child, Ace Holloway Pounds, was 35 months old. He would have celebrated his third birthday next month, according to Blackwell. He is the son of Elvonie Holloway and Duane Pounds Jr. Funeral services for the child are pending the release of the body from the state medical examiner. Craft-Dillon-Ginn Funeral Chapel will be in charge.
The sheriff’s office said the child had boarded a van Monday morning for transport to the daycare center at the Piggly Wiggly parking lot in Tylertown Plaza. Parents familiar with the daycare’s schedule said the center’s van picks up students for transport to the facility about 7:15 a.m.
Chief Deputy Toney Rushing said the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death are being investigated by the sheriff’s office and coroner, along with investigators from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and the district attorney’s office. State Department of Health investigators are also involved in the case as the agency licenses state child care facilities. Department of Health investigators continued interviews at the care facility Tuesday, officials said.
According to State Department of Health records the daycare facility is licensed for 68 students. It is owned by Audrey Carson Smith and has been in operation for about 10 years.
The investigation is ongoing and agencies involved have been examining daycare records for several days and interviewing staff.
At press time, Coroner Chris Blackwell said preliminary autopsy results had not been received.
According to a release by the sheriff’s office, results of the investigation will be turned over to the Walthall County Grand Jury.
