5-year-old collapses, dies at Florida day care, police say
A mother is speaking out after her 5-year-old son Zion James died Friday at a day care in Florida, according to CBS affiliate WKMG-TV.
Lashon Robinson told Leesburg Police Department that she went to pick up her two children at Kids of Distinction in Lake County when she was approached by the day care director who told her that James "is on the ground" and upon entering the classroom she saw her son on his back with a wet cloth on his forehead.
WKMG-TV writes that Robinson began screaming for someone to dial 911 as she sat with James and put his head in her lap. The police report mentions that after nobody called for help, Robinson called 911 herself.
"I'm trying to see what's going on with my son, so I ask, 'Somebody please call 911,' but I see a business-like phone on top of the cubby, but nobody grabbed it. Nobody responded to me asking someone to call 911," Robinson told WKMG-TV over the phone.
Pastor John Christian, who works for the church affiliated with the day care, said that Robinson came to pick up the child about 12 seconds after he collapsed and that the director couldn't locate a phone to call 911.
The child was rushed to Leesburg Regional Medical Center in cardiac arrest and it it's not known what happened to him, doctors say.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office is investigating and Christian said foul play isn't suspected and that the day care is cooperating.
"It's unfortunate. It's tragic. Not just for the family, but also for our staff who love and care for kids on a daily basis," Christian said. "We have grief counselors coming in talking to the kids, trying to make sure the kids understand, you know, tragedies happen."
Meanwhile, James' mother told WKMG-TV that she'll remember her child as one who was full of life.
"My baby was always smiling. He loved cars. He was a people person," she said.
Leesburg is about a 45 mile drive northwest from Orlando.