INDIANAPOLIS -- The Marion County Coroner has released an official cause of death for Taliah Brigham, the 11-month old who died after she was found not breathing at a Speedway day care.
Brigham’s death was ruled accidental as a result of “mechanical asphyxia,” which typically refers to something external preventing breathing.
Court records show the baby was left unattended while partially restrained in a car seat.
According to the report, "The child slipped and her airway was obstructed. The child later succumbed to her injury."
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The Indiana Attorney General's office filed for a permanent injunction earlier this year against the Miracles and Blessings Day Care Ministry, effectively asking the court to stop the day care from operating.
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A phone number for the day care was not operational Thursday afternoon.
The state alleges the day care had four staff members without criminal histories on file, and that one staff member was watching 26 children on April 6.
Miracles and Blessings failed to notify the Family and Social Services Administration, the Indiana Department of Child Services, and other parents of children at the day care of Brigham's death, court records show.
Inspectors also found incomplete immunization records, no transportation policy, an extension cord and medications accessible to children, unlabeled bottles, and children left unsupervised.
"An unqualified caregiver was transporting children from school to the facility," according to an FSSA inspection performed on April 11. "No documentation for vehicles used to transport children were present at the facility."
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The inspection report also noted on April 11 that the day care was not following appropriate child care ratios. In one classroom, one caregiver was watching 23 children and in a second classroom, one worker was looking after 15 children.
