Richmond woman charged after baby dies at her unlicensed home daycare

RICHMOND, Ind. — A Richmond woman was charged after a baby died at her unlicensed home babysitting business earlier this year.

Shawntae Griffee, 36, is charged with Reckless Supervision by a Child Care Provider, a Level 6 Felony.

The Richmond Police Department was dispatched to the 1100 block of South M St. in Richmond on a report of a juvenile not breathing. Upon arrival, officers found Griffee giving chest compressions to an infant near the entrance. The officer then took over and proceeded to perform four rounds of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. A few moments later, the Richmond Fire Department took over for the officer. Crews transported the 8-month-old baby, Xyaire Wilson, to Reid Hospital, where he later died.

Later that day, officers were called to investigate the scene. Detectives went through the residence, gathered evidence, and took pictures.

According to court documents, Griffee was babysitting eight children for pay on Jan. 22. Baby Wilson was dropped off at around 7:30 a.m. The suspect said that Wilson played for hours until she placed him in a SleepSack for a nap around 10 a.m. SleepSacks are defined as wearable blankets to aid in infant sleeping and swaddling, according to the Cleveland Clinic and court documents.

Shortly after 2 p.m. Griffee found Wilson lying facedown with his face in the blanket and nursing pillow. At 2:11 p.m., a witness who was walking through the front door saw Griffee performing CPR on the baby boy. The witness called the police from their cell phone and reported the incident to officers. The witness said that Griffee was attempting to call the police while also giving CPR but told them to call for an ambulance. The listed time of death was at 2:57 p.m. on Jan. 22. The initial suspected cause of death was respiratory arrest.

On March 28, Griffee was issued a Notice to Cease and Desist from the Indiana Family & Social Service Administration. The order was to cease operating an unlicensed childcare home.

The final autopsy report classified the official cause of death as Positional Asphyxia on April 5.

In the court documents, the Department of Child Services noted that swaddles are “not supposed to be used after two months old.”

Childcare experts said it can be hard for parents to find adequate caretakers these days, especially since the pandemic.

“Families are really attempting to find care that is quality, close to them, meets their needs, including affordability, yet there’s nothing available at this time,” said Child Care Answers Executive Director Mollie Smith.

Smith said that can especially be the case for infant and toddler care. Whether parents choose a daycare or homecare, Smith encourages parents to ask lots of questions. That includes questions about sleeping arrangements.

“Where will my child be sleeping,” Smith listed. “Will my child have a designated area? Or is it something where my child will be moved into a different room from time to time depending how many other children are there? Will they be sleeping in the same space as other children? Is there an adult present that will be checking on them?”

Smith also encourages parents to tour the home or daycare for yourself first. She also said there are plenty of helpful resources out there if you are searching for a spot.

“Child Care Answers is one of five across the state,” Smith described. “There’s a childcare resource and referral for every county in Indiana and we have family engagement specialists with families who are looking for childcare.”

Those five agencies include:

• Child Care Answers
• Geminus
• The Child Care Resource Network
• Chances and Services for Youth
• Building Blocks

You can also find more information about childcare services by visiting the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration online.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com.