A daycare in Madisonville was ordered to take corrective action by the Department of Human Services after it was reported that a baby was restrained while taking a nap.

According to DHS, on August 30, the 9-month-old baby at Teachers’ Tots Learning Center on Warren Street in Madisonville was also covered with a blanket during naptime, which violates safe sleep procedures. Other infants napping in pack ‘n plays were also covered with blankets.

The child’s family reached out to our sister station in Knoxville, WATE, and said they found the baby tied up during naptime at the daycare. 

“Our son, laying there, 9-months-old, on his belly,” said the baby’s father Linell Miller. “Had this blanket, and as Miss Brandy pulls the blanket back from his feet, back to his neck, there I see a sheet had his feet tied up, his legs, and his thighs – double knotted.”

The child’s mom said she was in disbelief.

“Confusion, anger, sadness. Guilt for putting trust into people to care for one of the most important persons in my life,” said mom Andrea. “A lot of emotions.”

“A sheet was used to tie him around his thighs and around his arms and chest,” said the Millers. “It was told to us that it was a tactic used to keep him from ‘wallowing’ around while he was sleeping.”

They went on to say the child was placed on his belly and sweating profusely. 

DHS said one staff member was placed on a ‘safety plan’ and that the infant room was closed while staff members were retrained. A follow-up inspection on Sept. 20 found no violations.