An ongoing investigation into a child's death may force the closure of a Manatee County day care center.
A 4-month-old girl died at Children's Academy of Southwest Florida in Bradenton on Jan. 7 and now, state investigators say there is video evidence a daycare worker did not follow proper policy when caring for the child.
According to a report by the Department of Children and Families, the baby was put on her stomach in a crib and not on her back. The facility director told Department of Children and Families the baby was fed and placed in the crib on her side to sleep.
Officials said video also showed the worker placing the child in a swing and using a blanket to prop a bottle next to the baby so she could feed herself. The baby was then placed in the crib without being burped.
The child was found unresponsive by day care workers at 11 a.m. that day.
Officials also said that on the day of the infant's death, a teacher who initially cared for the infant tested positive for cocaine and marijuana and admitted to the recent use of marijuana.
Now, according to partner newspaper the Bradenton Herald, an emergency suspension order issued last week by the Department of Children and Families made the Children Academy's license invalid for children 12 months or younger in the wake of its investigation.
The Children Academy has three other locations that will remain open as they are not a part of the ongoing investigation.
Bay News 9 reached out to the Academy but day care officials declined comment.