North Carolina Toddler Dies on First Day at Day Care, Employee Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter

A 16-month-old died at Cooperative Beginnings daycare on her first day attending

A 16-month-old girl identified as "Maddy" tragically died on her first day at a day care center in Lenoir, North Carolina, prompting a criminal investigation and charges against a staff member. The incident occurred on Monday at Creative Beginnings, a licensed child care facility with a five-star rating at the time of the event.

Maddy was reportedly put down for a nap after being dropped off by her mother, who had described the day as “heartbreaking” and “nerve-wracking.” Throughout the day, the mother received routine updates about Maddy and another child at the center. Later, however, she received a devastating call—Maddy had not woken up from her nap.

Alexandra Coffey charged with involuntary manslaughter

Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene and attempted life-saving measures on the toddler before transporting her to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The Lenoir Police Department immediately launched an investigation. Following an autopsy conducted by the county medical examiner, authorities began treating the case as a criminal matter. On Wednesday, police arrested 29-year-old Alexandra Coffey, a staff member at Creative Beginnings, and charged her with involuntary manslaughter. She was booked into the Caldwell County Detention Center with a secured bond set at $500,000. Coffey was scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.

Maddy, the 16-month-old who died on her first day at Creative Beginnings

As part of the investigation, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services suspended the day care’s license, citing an urgent need to protect public health and safety. The center was ordered to close by the end of business on Wednesday.

Records indicate that Creative Beginnings had previously been cited for CPR and first aid safety violations during unscheduled inspections but reportedly corrected those issues in September 2024. Despite these past citations, the center held a five-star rating when the incident occurred.

The day care facility is said to be cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.

Background: News footage of the Creative Beginnings day care center in Lenoir, N.C. (WBTV). Inset (left): Maddy, the 16-month-old who died on her first day at Creative Beginnings (GoFundMe). Inset (right): Alexandra Coffey (Caldwell County Detention Center).