Skip to Content

Autopsy report: Child’s death at Widefield daycare likely caused by asphyxia

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The newly released autopsy report reveals that the coroner believes a 3-month-old boy died of asphyxia after sleeping in an unsafe environment at an unlicensed daycare back in February of 2021.

Dana McNair allegedly ran the daycare out of her home across the street from Widefield Elementary. The report details that the 3-month-old was left for a nap on his left side on an adult bed with two sheets, a blanket and a comforter beneath him. He was found unresponsive and face down on the bed roughly an hour later. First responders transported him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

"We see these deaths all the time and they're 100% preventable, that baby should have been in a crib alone on its back, and that family wouldn't have that heartbreak that they're going through right now," safe infant sleep expert Liz Montgomery said. Montgomery runs a non-profit to bring awareness to the importance of safe sleeping habits for children under the age of one year old.

According to the CDC, a safe infant sleep environment requires that babies under a year old are placed on their backs, in a crib, without any soft bedding near them (like sheets, blankets, pillows, comforters, etc.).

McNair was arrested on Monday, June 14th, more than four months after the baby's death. The El Paso County Sheriff's Office could not confirm whether she continued to care for children after that child's death.

When KRDO spoke to neighbors who lived near McNair's home, they said they knew she ran a daycare and they constantly saw children at her house. None of the neighbors we spoke to was aware that her daycare was unlicensed.

McNair is now facing one felony count of Child Abuse Resulting in Death and fourteen misdemeanor counts of non-injury child abuse. Her bond was set at $50,000. It appears that she posted bail on Tuesday, June 15th. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday, June 24, 2021.

Montgomery recommends that parents talk to anyone caring for their children about how to put them to sleep, regardless of their qualifications.

"Even licensed childcare providers, they're not checked up on every single day, right? You have to, as a parent, be consistent in whoever's taking care of your baby, you talk about safe sleep, like you talk about feeding and diapering for your baby. Add safe sleep," Montgomery said.

Montgomery's organization teaches free virtual classes to help parents and caregivers learn about safe infant sleeping environments, carseat safety, and other important safety topics for kids. To learn more about those classes, click here.

Article Topic Follows: El Paso County Crime

Jump to comments ↓

Author Profile Photo

Sydnee Scofield

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KRDO NewsChannel 13 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content