A Georgia toddler died at a day care center after choking on a piece of watermelon earlier this year. The incident occurred May 21, and three months later, Brunswick's The Kids Nest Learning Center is permanently closed. Jamal Bryant Jr. was only 16 months old when the fruit lodged in his throat. The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, or DECAL, reported that staff waited nearly two minutes before calling 911.
JB's family is grieving the loss of their son and claims the center was negligent in caring not only for JB but all the children at the facility. They want justice for their son.
More from CafeMom: Horrified Mom Claims Day Care Allowed Special Needs Toddler To Wander Into Busy Street
JB was allegedly given a large piece of watermelon.
According to a GoFundMe account, staff at The Kids Nest gave Jamal a big piece of fruit, and he began to choke.
"JB tragically lost his life when The Kids Nest Learning Center failed to have staff trained in CPR, gave the 18 month a large piece of watermelon, didn't require kids to be seated while eating and the staff weren't seated within arms reach of the children as mandated by Georgia's Dept of Early Childhood and Learning (DECAL)," the GoFundMe page explains.
An investigation found staff delayed calling for help.
According to a DECAL report obtained by First Coast News, after JB began to choke, staff reportedly waited one minute and 48 seconds before calling 911. He was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. DECAL issued an emergency closure of the Kids Nest following the baby's death for three weeks while the agency investigated.
The day care center owner admitted his staff didn't follow proper protocol.
During a hearing in late May, the owner of The Kids Nest Learning Center, Charles Grant, testified in court with JB's parents present. Grant said there were only two staff members in the room when JB choked, and only one was certified in CPR. He also admitted staff wasn't following the center or state's rules and were not staying with or monitoring the children while they ate.
Taylor Hicks, JB's mom, told First Coast News in May that the center failed her son.
"We depend on you all to take care of our children to the best of your ability and if that was one of the rules, I feel like obviously you should have followed them," she said.
DECAL ordered the day care facility's license to be revoked.
Citing rule violations that "seriously affected the health and safety of children and demonstrated the intentional and reckless disregard for the physical and mental health and safety of children," DECAL took steps to close The Kids Nest. Grant initially appealed the decision but later changed his mind.
More from CafeMom: Mom Finds Her 1-Year-Old Alone, Crying in the Dark After Day Care Closed
The center has been permanently closed.
First Coast News reported Grant withdrew his appeal, and the day care center is now closed.
"Notice has been sent to the Office of State Administrative Hearings so that the case can be dismissed and court canceled. Since there is no longer an appeal, the center has officially been closed in our system due to the revocation of the license," read a statement provided to the station by DECAL.
