Nakia Cloman’s world collapsed with a single phone call from the daycare her daughter attended. On the other end of the line, a worker delivered a devastating update: 6-year-old Winter Jones had been left inside a van at Kid University in Memphis, Tennessee, and was barely breathing. The child, who had autism, was pronounced dead at the scene after being left in the vehicle during a day when temperatures soared into the high 90s.
Background
The tragedy unfolded on the morning of Aug. 13, when Winter was dropped off at Kid University. Authorities state that the girl was scheduled to be transported to Macon-Hall Elementary School for the day. However, the transport never happened. Instead, Winter remained inside the van parked outside the childcare facility. It was not until that afternoon that she was discovered unresponsive.
Investigators from the Shelby County Sheriff's Office reviewed the incident and identified severe lapses in protocol. The Tennessee Department of Human Services subsequently investigated the facility, revealing that Kid University was not following several mandatory transportation requirements. Reports indicate that employees failed to conduct necessary walk-throughs to ensure all children were off the vehicle, did not accurately complete transportation logs, and neglected vehicle inspection procedures after children were unloaded.
The Charges
Two women associated with the daycare have been taken into custody and indicted in connection with Winter’s death. Sabrina Powe, 43, who served as the assistant director of Kid University, and Tametria Norry, 49, are currently held in the Shelby County Jail. Authorities have charged both women with aggravated child neglect, criminally negligent homicide, and destruction of and tampering with governmental records.
Norry is reportedly identified as the driver of the vehicle in which Winter was left. A third employee, Amilya Hardin, who worked as an assistant at the daycare, has also been indicted in the case. The charges against the defendants allege that their negligence directly contributed to the death of the young girl, who was left in a non-air-conditioned environment during extreme heat.
Key Takeaways
- Winter Jones, 6, died after being left in a van at Kid University in Memphis on Aug. 13.
- Sabrina Powe and Tametria Norry are charged with aggravated child neglect and criminally negligent homicide.
- A third worker, Amilya Hardin, has also been indicted in the death.
- The temperature in Memphis reached the high 90s on the day of the incident.
- State investigators found the daycare failed to perform required vehicle walk-throughs and log checks.
- Winter had autism, and her father described the loss as an 'absolute nightmare' caused by staff negligence.
What's Next
As of the latest reports, it remains unclear when the defendants will appear in court for their initial hearings. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the breakdown in safety protocols at Kid University. The community awaits further legal proceedings to determine the extent of individual responsibility in the death of Winter Jones.
Editorial Analysis
This case highlights the catastrophic human cost when basic safety protocols are ignored in childcare settings. For parents of children with special needs, like Winter, who require consistent and reliable transportation to educational environments, the breach of trust is profound. The indictment of multiple employees suggests that this was not merely an isolated oversight, but a systemic failure of duty that ultimately cost a child her life.