Just a week into the new year, a Missouri family experienced a heartbreaking loss when a 1-year-old baby boy died in a freak accident at an in-home day care in Potosi. The little boy’s head reportedly became stuck in a toy slide, compromising his airway, leading to loss of oxygen. The scene broke the hearts of sheriff’s deputies who tried to save his life. The child’s death rocked the small town, which is about 70 miles south of St. Louis. The community wants to help the family move forward while honoring a life cut tragically short.
According to a news release from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, deputies got a call at an in-home day care on January 9, 2026. When they arrived, they found a 1-year-old boy not breathing. He was reportedly playing on a toy slide and had slipped through a small opening. When he fell, his head “became lodged, restricting the airway and resulting in a loss of oxygen,” the release noted. Police and emergency medical personnel attempted life-saving measures but could not revive the toddler.
KMOV reported the facility did not have a license. Because the provider cared for only four children, Missouri law doesn’t require a license. Sheriff Scott Reed told the outlet that the scene broke many hearts.
“Both of my deputies are young deputies who have young children. One of them has a newborn at home,” Reed said, per KMOV. “It hit him especially hard having to do CPR on a child. In fact, he lives here in town and went straight home and hugged his baby.”
Robin Phillips, who works for Child Care Aware of Missouri, told the outlet that many providers have good intentions but accidents happen.
“It’s not uncommon for there to be unlicensed child care in smaller communities because they are close-knit, they know one another. I don’t have an opinion on that one way or another. Families have to use what they have access to and what they can afford,” Phillips said.
The sheriff’s office noted it would not share any more details, but several people identified the victim as 1-year-old Everhett Roy Hall.
“Though words could never fully capture the sweetness of the moments shared with Evy, his joyful spirit and perfect smile will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved him,” his obituary reads. “Today, Evy is spending his days in Heaven, joyfully reunited and playing with his MawMaw Tina.”
We cannot imagine this family’s pain. Even though his death looks like it was nothing but a tragic accident, life will never be the same for those who loved Everhett. Luckily, they appear to have a very strong and loving community to lift them up during this heart-wrenching time.
