A Memphis family is mourning the loss of a little girl after what they say was a devastating lapse in care that left her in a daycare bus for hours. Winter Jones was just 6 years old, and now her loved ones are seeking answers as an investigation continues into what happened to the young girl.
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Winter Was Allegedly Left On A Daycare Bus
According to Winter’s father, Bryan Jones, his daughter rode a Kid University daycare bus to and from Macon-Hall Elementary School, but she was allegedly never taken off the bus on Thursday morning. Winter, who was nonverbal and autistic, was later discovered at the daycare, and her father said she had an internal body temperature of 109 degrees. The outdoor temperature in Memphis reached about 97 degrees that day.
Memphis Police said officers responded around 3:23 p.m. to the 700 block of Walnut Knoll Lane after receiving a call about a child in need of medical assistance. Winter was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition, where she was later pronounced deceased. Authorities have not announced any charges, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Her Family Says She Couldn’t Advocate For Herself
Winter’s uncle, Christopher Jones, said the little girl’s autism and inability to communicate made the situation especially heartbreaking. He said Winter could not alert anyone that she was still on the bus. According to the family, no one realized she was missing until workers returned to the vehicle later in the day.
“She couldn’t advocate for herself. She couldn’t open her mouth and say, ‘Hey, I’m still on the bus,’ or anything, nothing like that,” he shared. “I’m standing here sweating. So, I can only imagine her being enclosed in a bus for so long with no windows down, no doors open, no nothing.”
Winter’s Family Is Seeking Answers After Her Death Amid Investigation
The investigation has prompted questions about the safety procedures in place at the daycare. Tennessee childcare regulations require providers to conduct vehicle checks and maintain records of those checks. Moreover, the Tennessee Department of Human Services confirmed it is involved in the investigation. The agency also expressed condolences to Winter’s family.
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