A North Carolina daycare case is drawing renewed attention after the family of 16-month-old Madolyn “Maddy” Mitchell filed a wrongful death lawsuit, alleging that a caregiver’s negligence — including phone use during supervision — led to the child’s death.
Maddy died on May 19, 2025, just hours after arriving for her first day at Creative Beginnings Daycare in Lenoir. Nearly a year later, her parents have taken legal action, providing details about what they say occurred during nap time.
According to the complaint, filed in Caldwell County Superior Court on March 16, 2026, caregiver Alexandra Coffey allegedly forced Maddy to lie face-down on a nap mat after she resisted going to sleep. The lawsuit claims Coffey then covered the toddler’s head with a blanket and pressed her own body weight on top of the child — all while scrolling on her phone.
Police identified Coffey, 29, as the daycare worker involved. She faces involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with Maddy’s death and was held at the Caldwell County Detention Center under a $500,000 secured bond.
Authorities say first responders arrived at the daycare around 2:45 p.m. on the day of the incident and found Maddy unresponsive. CPR was started immediately under the guidance of 911 dispatchers, but despite efforts, the child was pronounced dead shortly after being transported to the hospital. Early reports described her death as cardiac arrest, though an autopsy later confirmed that Maddy died from smothering and compression asphyxia.
The lawsuit further alleges that Maddy was left unattended for hours before being discovered unresponsive. Coffey was arrested days after the incident by the Lenoir Police Department and released on bond while awaiting further legal proceedings. Involuntary manslaughter typically applies in cases of reckless or negligent behavior rather than intentional harm.
Maddy’s mother told WBTV that she had dropped her daughter off at the daycare that morning and later received the devastating call that Maddy had not woken up from her afternoon nap.
Following the tragedy, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services suspended Creative Beginnings’ license, ordering the facility to close immediately. State-subsidized childcare payments were also halted.
The daycare released a statement on social media, expressing sorrow over Maddy’s death:
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our sweet little angels at Creative Beginnings of Lenoir. Our hearts are broken, and we’re struggling to find the right words in the face of such sorrow. Please keep our teachers, staff, and everyone who loved this precious child in your prayers, but especially the family, as they grieve the unimaginable loss of their child. May God’s peace and comfort be with all who are hurting during this difficult time.”
In their lawsuit, Maddy’s parents, Angel Dawn Blankenship and Jovon Jerell Mitchell, allege negligence, recklessness, and willful misconduct on Coffey’s part. They are seeking damages, which will be determined at trial.
The case has reignited conversations about daycare safety, particularly around supervision during nap times and the use of personal devices by staff. Advocates emphasize the need for stricter regulations, better training, and oversight to prevent similar tragedies.
The criminal case against Coffey remains ongoing, with no trial date publicly announced.
