By Bonnie Zhang for WCNC
CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. — The family of the 16-month-old girl who died at a Lenoir day care is suing the former employee accused in her death in a civil wrongful death claim.
In May 2025, toddler Maddy Mitchell died at Creative Beginnings day care. At the time, Alexandra Coffey worked at the day care and was charged with involuntary manslaughter in Mitchell’s death.
The lawsuit accuses Coffey of negligence, gross negligence, recklessness and willful and wanton misconduct in connection to Mitchell’s death, and demands a jury trial to determine damages owed.
In the statement of facts, Mitchell’s family alleges Coffey forced the toddler face down on a sleeping mat to make her take a nap then, when the toddler wouldn’t stay down, put a blanket over her head and laid on top of her until she stopped kicking or moving. The suit also alleges Coffey left Maddy under the blanket for about three hours without checking on her.
Mitchell died of smothering and compression asphyxia, the suit says, and could not be revived even after EMS arrived on scene.
The day care was shut down following a license suspension by NC Department of Health and Human Services.