Nationwide — Leah Marie Stewart, an African American daycare worker from Austin, Texas, is facing a felony charge after allegedly dropping a 3-month-old baby. Investigators said the infant suffered a skull fracture and did not receive medical care for several hours.
According to WLBT, the incident happened on March 16 when Stewart tripped over the leg of a bouncer chair while holding the baby. The fall occurred inside the daycare facility.
An arrest affidavit said Stewart did not report what happened for about two and a half hours. She later told investigators she stayed quiet because she feared losing her job and going to jail.
Court documents said Stewart held the baby after the fall and allowed the infant to sleep. The child was not taken for medical treatment until more than four hours later, even though head injuries in infants require immediate attention.
Experts said child care workers should have been trained to respond quickly in these situations. They are expected to check for injuries, seek medical help if needed, and notify parents right away. CPR and first aid training are also standard requirements.
Legal experts said caregivers have a responsibility to act reasonably, especially when caring for infants who cannot communicate their condition.
Authorities charged Stewart with injury to a child by reckless omission, a second-degree felony. She was booked into the Travis County Correctional Complex on Tuesday, and her bond was set at $10,000.
In a statement, officials from the Primrose School at Easton Park said the incident was an accident. They confirmed Stewart has been fired and said they are cooperating with investigators.