Day care’s van driver convicted in child’s death
RICHMOND, Va. -- A city day-care center's driver was convicted today on two felony charges related to his role in the death of a child who was inadvertently left in the facility's van on a hot summer day.
Keishawn L. Whitfield, 24, was convicted on charges of involuntary manslaughter and child neglect. He is to be sentenced Jan. 8 by Richmond Circuit Judge Beverly W. Snukals.
Valerot Whitlow, Whitfield's mother and the operator of the former Yellow Brick Raod Daycare and Learning Center, faces a charge of felony child neglect.
The center's van driver, Whitfield left 13-month-old Andrew Johnson in the van for about seven hours on July 6.
Authorities testified today that the air temperature on July 6 reached 84 degrees but that the temperature in the van likely could have reached 40 degrees higher. The child's temperature was recorded at 106 degrees shortly after he was discovered in the van.
Whitfield, who did not testify today, told authorities that when he picked up Johnson at his house for the ride to the center, Andrew was already strapped into a portable safety seat. Whitfield said he put the seat on the first bench seat immediately behind the driver's seat, then secured the safety seat to the bench with a seat belt.
After delivering several other children to the center, Whitfield drove the van home, turned off the ringer on his cell phone and went to bed.
The center was closed after Andrew's death and Whitlow surrendered her day-care license.
-- Joe Macenka
Reader Reactions
Of the lack of intent we are assured?
Whitfield had a previous conviction for drug dealing that should have disqualified him from working at a daycare center. Unfortunately, a judge set aside the conviction and allowed Whitfield to keep his job at the daycare center and cause the death of this child. The Judge’s name should be printed right along side Whitfield and his mother, because the judge is equally as reponsible for the death of the child.
“it amazes me the unequal treatment people get in this town. i remember a few years back when the youth pastor at a virginia church left his own daughter in the car and went in to church. she died and he got pats on the back and sympathy, but no charges. and that was his only child. i don’t remember anyone saying—-oh, how could he forget. virginia prosecutors never cease to amaze me. everyone should get the same treatment. any person who leaves a child in a car to die whether mistakenly or not, should get punished. i’m sure this guy, too, had no malice toward the child. this is sad and very terrible.“
I understand your feelings, but that father did face charges, did go to court, and did receive some sort of punishment. Not as harsh as in this case, but punishment just the same.
Momma, the two instances are not the same. The other instance you are referring to was a parent. I believe that the parent is suffering enough having negligently killed his own child. The other is a day care worker, not the child’s parent. He failed to follow several rules on ensuring the safety of the children on the van. Additionally, he was unlicensed at the time he was driving; therefore, he by law, he wasn’t even allowed to be driving, let alone driving a van full of children. Day care facilities are regulated by the government; there are punishments for not following the laws enacted.
it amazes me the unequal treatment people get in this town. i remember a few years back when the youth pastor at a virginia church left his own daughter in the car and went in to church. she died and he got pats on the back and sympathy, but no charges. and that was his only child. i don’t remember anyone saying—-oh, how could he forget. virginia prosecutors never cease to amaze me. everyone should get the same treatment. any person who leaves a child in a car to die whether mistakenly or not, should get punished. i’m sure this guy, too, had no malice toward the child. this is sad and very terrible.
Well he was in court but I bet his lawyer did not want him to talk.
Well, he isn’t required to testify… that pesky 5th Amendment to the Constitution.
Regardless, I’m satisfied to see a guilty verdict here. How a person can put a child in the car himself, pick up several others and drop them off, and not realize there was still one left behind is beyond me. Anyone with a shred of common sense would count the kids as they got out and then check the van front to back before leaving. A good daycare employee should have the common sense to do this, whether or not it’s written policy. A good daycare owner wouldn’t ever let this happen because it would be a written policy and it would be enforced daily.
I live in Allston (Boston), Mass now. I was raised in Richmond—North Side and the West End.
This incident is appalling. Whitfield did not testify. Did he appear in court? Terrible.
Post a Comment(Requires free registration)
- Please avoid offensive, vulgar, or hateful language.
- Respect others.
- Use the "Flag Comment" link when necessary.
- See the Terms and Conditions for details.
Advertisement