‘I’m so sorry,’ says day care owner
The Florida Department of Children and Families issued an emergency suspension order on Wednesday, indefinitely shutting down both locations of the Little Miracles Academy’s day care where a 3-year-old boy died on Monday.
According to DCF secretary Mike Carroll, the driver of the van where Myles Hill was found on Monday night was not authorized to transport children to and from the facility.
Day care drivers must have a valid Florida driver’s license, an annual physical exam, and valid first aid and CPR training certificates.
While the facility was cited for transportation violations, Carroll said DCF provided counseling on how to appropriately keep transportation documents and the owner acknowledged the guidelines.
Earlier Wednesday, the owner of the Orlando daycare center where a 3-year-old boy died begged his family for forgiveness during a news conference, and she said she was going to fight to keep her business open.
“I’m so sorry,” said co-owner Audrey Thornton before naming several of the boy’s family members. “I don’t want y’all to be upset with me. I loved Myles. I took care of him since he was a baby.”
Thornton spoke in front of reporters at her attorney Robert Nesmith’s office in downtown Orlando.
They declined to answer questions, citing an ongoing investigation.
Myles was found dead on the floor in the back seat Monday night after being left behind by a daycare worker Monday morning in the Little Miracles Academy’s parking lot.
The driver picked up Myles and other children Monday morning before parking the van at the day care center.
The driver, who has not been named, admitted not doing a head count; charges are pending against her, Orlando police said.
Thornton said driver has been fired. the