A tragic incident occurred at a day care in North Carolina where a 16-month-old girl suffocated. The family has filed a lawsuit claiming that staff member Alexandra Coffey laid on top of Maddie Mitchell, allegedly while using her cell phone, in an attempt to make her take a nap.
Coffey was arrested last year after Maddie’s body was discovered at Creative Beginnings in Lenoir on May 19, 2025. She faces charges of manslaughter and is awaiting trial.
The wrongful death lawsuit against Coffey, now filed in Caldwell County, points to gross negligence on her part.
On Maddie’s first day at day care, she was placed on a mat for nap time. Allegedly, when the baby woke, Coffey put her face down on the mat, covered her with a blanket, and then lay across her torso, using her legs to restrain the child’s movements. According to the lawsuit, during this time, Maddie attempted to kick with her free leg, but Coffey held her in this position for several minutes while still using her phone.
Afterward, Coffey reportedly resumed her routine without checking on Maddie for three hours. By that time, the child had passed away, with rigor mortis setting in, as claimed in the lawsuit.
When first responders were finally called, they were unable to revive Maddie.
The facility was closed down after Maddie’s death, and a health department investigation revealed that not all staff had completed CPR training, though this was rectified before the incident.
Angel Blankenship, Maddie’s mother, expressed confusion over why more severe charges have not been brought against Coffey. She stated her desire for justice for her daughter and a commitment to prevent such incidents in the future.
Lisa Dabbs, Blankenship’s attorney, noted that her client is understandably heartbroken over what transpired. “She loves her children but is very upset,” Dabbs remarked.
Coffey was released on bail, but no trial date has been set yet.
A woman visiting a memorial for Maddie outside the day care said, “She was still a baby,” expressing her sorrow and frustration over the situation.
Coffey did not respond to requests for comment as of Wednesday.
