Nationwide — Jynesis Daniel, a 2-year-old African American girl from McDonough, Georgia, lost one of her toes after a fire extinguisher reportedly fell from a wall and severely injured her foot at a local daycare. The toddler needed two surgeries after the Aug. 21 injury, and her family is now seeking answers as a state investigation looks into what happened at Willoway Preschool.
Jynesis was at the daycare when the fire extinguisher reportedly came loose and landed on her foot. Staff contacted her parents, Zacheus and LaTiegre’ Daniel, and told them an ambulance was being called. According to WSB-TV, LaTiegre’ said a staff member explained that the extinguisher had been loose on the wall before it fell and struck their daughter. When Zacheus saw Jynesis, however, he realized the injury was much more serious than the initial phone call had suggested. Parts of her injured toes were barely attached to her foot, leaving the family overwhelmed.
Paramedics took the toddler to Arthur M. Blank Hospital, where doctors tried to save the damaged toes. Jynesis underwent surgery to reattach them, and medical staff monitored her foot for about 24 hours. One toe failed to recover and remained black and blue. Doctors then told the family that removing it was necessary to protect the rest of her foot and prevent an infection from spreading. She ultimately lost the toe, adding another major medical setback for the young child.
The injury has changed daily life for the Daniel family, who said they are focused on their daughter’s recovery while also looking for accountability. The family reported the case to Henry County police and hired an attorney. The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, known as DECAL, also confirmed that the daycare reported the injury and said the agency is investigating the circumstances. The investigation is expected to examine how the fire extinguisher became loose and what happened after Jynesis was hurt.
The case has also brought attention to a previous safety violation at the same preschool. State records show DECAL fined Willoway Preschool after an April incident involving another 2-year-old child who was reportedly left outside without supervision for 26 minutes. That earlier case has raised additional questions for Jynesis’ parents about safety at the facility. The daycare’s owner declined to discuss the toddler’s injury because of the ongoing litigation but said the health and safety of Jynesis and the other children remain a priority.
LaTiegre’ said she wants the preschool closed because she believes the situation was not handled properly. Zacheus also said he wants the daycare held accountable, while acknowledging that no action can restore the toe his daughter lost. The family is now waiting for the state investigation to determine what led to the injury and whether additional action should follow. For the Daniels, the case is not only about how the fire extinguisher fell but also about the care their daughter received before and after she suffered the devastating injury.