A family in Nashville, Tennessee, is in mourning after making the grim discovery that a 3-month-old baby died while at an unlicensed in-home day care. Anna Jordan, 51, the owner of the day care, is in police custody and has been charged with six counts of neglect.
Jordan reportedly left her home — leaving all of the children alone in the apartment — and attempted to commit suicide after finding the infant unresponsive just 20 minutes after laying the baby down for a nap.
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The baby's mother and another parent found the children alone in Jordan's apartment.
Jordan, who also goes by Annie Clark, according to News 2, allegedly left her apartment with seven children ranging from 3 months old to 16 months old alone inside after finding the deceased baby. The incident occurred in April of this year.
The dead baby's mother and another parent made the devastating discovery upon arriving at the apartment and alerted authorities. All six of the other children were found safe and in good health, according to People.
But Jordan was nowhere to be found.
The day care provider was later found by hikers in Harpeth River State Park. She had reportedly suffered what police believe to be self-inflicted lacerations, indicating a suicide attempt. She was taken to the hospital where police later interviewed her, per News 2.
Despite the incident occurring nearly two months ago, authorities just announced last week that she has been charged with six counts of child neglect, according to People. The baby's death is reportedly still under investigation as police await autopsy and toxicology reports. Authorities have not identified the child.
Several of Jordan's friends have spoken out in shock over the incident.
The incident was evidently out of character for Jordan.
"It’s just so surreal and so crazy," Jordan's friend, Eryk Datura, told News 2. "She was a very outgoing, very happy person."
She had reportedly operated her in-home day care for years and loved her job.
"She loved those kids and I know that the way she spoke about them was just so lovely, and so you know she really, really took pride in what she did," Datura said. "It’s heartbreaking to me. I mean it’s shattering. It’s hard to keep it together right now, it just breaks my heart."
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Something may have changed, however, in recent months.
"It was a very quick friendship, probably about a year friendship, and I started seeing some red flags and pulling away. The situation that’s occurred in the aftermath of the missing post is shocking, but it’s not shocking to me that she is somehow involved," a former friend who wished to remain anonymous told News 2.
"Make sure you know they are licensed. Make sure to do background checks and really just research that person, because if you had gone to Annie’s Facebook page and looked at any of her online posts as a parent, there’s a bunch of red flags that I would have been able to discern from looking at her," the friend said. "I cannot imagine what that poor mother and father are going through right now. I hope they can get some answers."
Note: If you or any of your loved ones are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can always reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988. They are available 24/7 by phone or online chat.
