A family continues to seek answers after their one-year-old son died at a Tijeras daycare. Responders reportedly found the child “unconscious and not breathing.”
The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office said deputies went to the New Mexico Early Learning Academy on Wednesday afternoon. They responded to an emergency call involving the child.
The daycare remained empty Thursday after closing for the week. Family friend Deborah Lovato said the boy’s parents are still in shock as they grieve his death.
“The mother and father have not returned to work naturally, so it’s hitting the household. You know, not just physically, mentally, financially-it’s all of the above. Their emotions are with a roller coaster,” Lovato told KOB 4.
Lovato said the family is still waiting to learn what led to their son’s death. She said an autopsy could help shed light on what happened.
Questions Remain Over What Happened Before Child’s Death
Lovato said the family wants to know what happened at the day care before the boy died.
“It really was, and it was like, well, where was the staff at this daycare?” Lovato said, “Like, why don’t they know the Heimlich maneuver for infants? Like, don’t they? There was just so much anger and questions, and they were angry too.”
BCSO has not confirmed what caused the baby’s death.
Lovato said losing an infant is an especially tragic experience for a family.
She remembered the boy as a happy baby who laughed and was eager to learn new things.
“He would laugh. He was learning, you know, just different stuff, to clap. And you know, we have one on Facebook that he’s laying down, and they’re just tickling him, and he’s laughing like he was just an amazing baby,” Lovato said. “He’s gonna be missed. That’s for darn sure.”
Lovato said they will be holding a fundraising event for the family Sunday at Oasis Event Center. The fundraiser will run from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
