The Lenoir community is preparing to say farewell to Maddy Amara-Serenity Mitchell, a 16-month-old toddler whose life was tragically cut short last week at a local daycare. WBTV reports her funeral is scheduled for this afternoon at Water Life Church, just over a week after she was pronounced dead following a cardiac arrest incident at Creative Beginnings Daycare in Lenoir.
According to a WCNC, first responders found Maddy unresponsive and proceeded to quickly administer life-saving measures. Despite their efforts, Maddy was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at the hospital. It was her first day attending the daycare.
Lenoir police have arrested 29-year-old Alexandra Coffey, an employee of the daycare, charging her with involuntary manslaughter. WCCB Charlotte notes that the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services have since suspended Creative Beginnings' business license, mandating the facility to cease operations.
An administrative action was issued against the daycare by state health authorities following the incident, as further evidenced by state inspection records which, reported in August 2024, not all staff members were certified in first aid and CPR as they should have been. "The joy she brought into their lives and the lives of those around her was immeasurable ... We were not prepared to say goodbye to our sweet Maddy, and her brief presence among us has deepened the devastation of this loss. The absence of her bright spirit will be felt deeply.," reads a portion of Maddy's online obituary, obtained by WBTV. The family, stricken by grief, has requested that staff from the Creative Beginnings Daycare abstain from attending any funeral services.
