A North Carolina woman is facing a series of charges after a baby died in her care. Tamika Jones Fowler was running a day care in her home when the baby died, and she failed to report it to the proper authorities. After the child’s death, police began an investigation into what could have possibly happened and discovered that the baby wasn’t the only child in Fowler’s care. She was looking after several other small children in her home at the time.
However, she hadn’t gone through the proper process and was running an unlicensed day care, which has serious legal implications.
She’s facing multiple misdemeanors.
Fowler was arrested on April 7, 2026, WNCN reported. A warrant filed by the Wendell Police Department states that the 47-year-old woman failed to notify the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services that a 5-month-old baby had died at her day care in April 2024.
According to the warrant, Fowler failed to make her day care’s records available to the health department. She was providing care to more than five children 5 or younger and allowed child care to happen at a home where there was no one licensed.
Fowler was charged with three counts of child welfare violation and two counts of child welfare unlicensed violation.
Police said she is not charged with the child’s death.
On December 5, 2024, Wendell police got a call about an unresponsive child in Fowler’s home, WRAL reported. The report is what prompted police to begin to investigate Fowler and her day care. Police determined the baby died in their sleep.
WRAL reached out to the health department for a statement on the case. “The Division of Child Development and Early Education is committed to its statutory responsibility in NC General Statute 110-85 to provide a physically safe and healthy environment where the developmental needs of children are met. DCDEE makes every effort to provide information parents need to make the best possible child care choices,” the statement reads.
Fowler has worked as a nurse for the last five years.
According to a LinkedIn profile belonging to Fowler, she has worked as a practical nurse at Holly Hill Hospital in Raleigh since 2021.
A representative for the hospital said Fowler has been placed on administrative leave since hospital officials learned of her arrest.
“There are no records of any incidents, allegations or complaints involving this individual at Holly Hill Hospital, and the matter you are referencing did not occur at a Holly Hill facility,” the representative told WRAL.
Fowler’s bond has been set at $10,000. She is expected in court in Wake County on May 5.
