TIPTON COUNTY, Ind. -- The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration has issued a cease and desist order to a child provider suspected of operating illegally.
Jessica Moss is charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death, a level one felony.
A 2-month-old baby boy, identified in court documents as C.C., died in on May 26 in her care after being placed in a crib face-down to sleep.
Moss left the baby in the crib unsupervised, and he died of positional asphyxia, which happens when your body is positioned in a way that you can’t breathe.
Moss was caring for 11 children at the time, records show.
In Indiana, you need a license if you are watching six or more children unrelated to the provider.
FSSA spokesperson Marni Lemons said their agency did not become aware of the death until July 28, months after the baby’s death.
In Indiana, licensed providers are required to receive safe sleep training.
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Also, licensing consultants check for safe sleep practices during their regular inspections.
Safe sleep includes putting the baby on his back to sleep, alone in a crib without any stuffed animals, and using a sleep sack rather than loose blankets.
Moss will appear in Tipton County court on Friday at 9 am.
This is not the first time a child has died at a child care accused of operating illegally.
Kyle Ferguson died at an illegal child care home on February 16 after he was put in an unsafe sleep environment, records show.
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And Mazie Valenta died April 25, 2016, when her shirt got caught on a broken piece of the day care provider’s crib.
