Child Drowns in Baptismal Pool of Indianapolis Church
A 1-year-old child has died after found submerged in the baptismal pool of an Indianapolis church-daycare.
Police are investigating the death of the boy, identified as Juan Cardenas, according to USA Today. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said that the cause of the boy's death will be determined after an autopsy.
Church employees told officers that they found Cardenas in water that was two feet deep at 1:45 p.m., in the baptismal pool at Praise Fellowship Assembly of God. They immediately called for help and Cardena was taken to St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital. He died a short time after, according to police.
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A therapist had arrived to begin a session with Cardena at the church day-care, but he couldn't be found. The therapist asked the employees to help look for him and he was found dead in the baptismal pool a short time after.
Baptismal pools hold water for Christian baptisms and can vary in size and shape from church to church. The day-care, which the church operates, has eight employees and cares for 30 to 45 children of various ages. Currently, authorities don't suspect the boy was the victim of a crime.
The day-care will be closed for the week as an investigation is ongoing.
According to Fox59, the day-care at Praise Fellowship Assembly of God has a record of negligence. State records show that the day-care had many violations, including children without immunization records, care takers without criminal background checks, bottles not properly stored, outdated formula, dirty cribs, training toilets with urine in them and televisions in dangerous places where could topple over on children.
The church day-care is classified as an "unlicensed registered ministry," meaning that doesn't follow the same requirements of a business daycare or in-home daycare. However, they must still register with the health department and the fire marshal.
One parent that found out that Cardena was left alone before he died, said her children would not return the day-care.
"They're not coming back," said Angel Critendon, who has children at the day-care. "So she said he was by himself, so my kids won't be coming back."
