Nationwide — Tametria Norry, one of three daycare workers charged in the death of 6-year-old Winter Jones, reportedly said she skipped a required bus check because “she was hot.” The non-verbal autistic girl was later found after being left inside the daycare vehicle and died on August 13. Norry was released from jail Wednesday after a judge lowered her bond.
The child was supposed to be dropped off at school that morning. State records show Winter was signed onto the bus at 8:35 a.m. and marked as getting off at 8:50 a.m. However, she never made it into the school. The documents say Norry drove the bus but did not conduct a walk-through after the children were supposed to leave. Winter remained inside the vehicle, where she was later found unresponsive.
According to WREG, Norry has been charged with aggravated child neglect, criminally negligent homicide, and destruction of or tampering with governmental records. Daycare assistant director Sabrina Powe and assistant Amilya Hardin also face the same charges. State records identify Powe and Hardin as the reviewers in the transportation process, while Norry was listed as the driver.
All three women reportedly admitted that they did not perform the required walk-through to make sure no children remained on the bus. Despite not completing the check, the women signed a log indicating that a walk-through had been done. Powe and Hardin were released earlier on $50,000 bonds, while Norry remained in jail until a judge lowered her bond Wednesday.
The three women appeared before a judge and pleaded not guilty. Their next court hearing is scheduled for October 30. Hardin, who attends college full-time in Shelby County, will not be required to attend that hearing.
Winter’s family is also preparing to take legal action outside of the criminal case. Attorneys Walter Bailey Jr. and Taurus Bailey said the family trusted the daycare workers to care for Winter and is seeking accountability for her death. In a statement after Wednesday’s hearing, the attorneys said, “Her life mattered. What happened to her matters, and justice for Winter matters. With the family, we will be watching.” They also confirmed that the family plans to file a civil lawsuit.