BRUNSWICK, Ga. — A day care in Brunswick that had its license revoked after a 1-year-old child choked and later died, has permanently closed, the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) told First Coast News Friday.
The child, Jamal Bryant, died at a hospital after a piece of watermelon got stuck in his throat at the Kids Nest Learning Center on May 21. A report from DECAL says day care staff waited one minute and 48 seconds before calling 911.
Two days later, DECAL issued an emergency closure for Kids Nest; the day care was closed for three weeks as the state investigated the incident.
Then on May 29, Charles Grant, the owner of the day care, appealed its closure. Thereafter, Grant gave his testimony at a hearing in an Atlanta courtroom, with Jamal's parents present.
According to a notice of revocation written by DECAL, the department found there were rule violations which, "seriously affected the health and safety of children and demonstrated the intentional and reckless disregard for the physical and mental health and safety of children."
According to the incident investigative report, only one of the five staff members at Kids Nest had valid CPR training. DECAL requires at least 50% of caregiver staff to successfully complete biennial training for CPR.
"Mr. Grant from The Kids Nest in Brunswick has withdrawn his appeal to the revocation," Reg Griffin with DECAL told First Coast News in a statement Friday. "Notice has been sent to the Office of State Administrative Hearings so that the case can be dismissed and court canceled. Since there is no longer an appeal, the center has officially been closed in our system due to the revocation of the license."
In 2022, former The Kids Nest Learning Center director Manjeet Grant was arrested and charged with battery after being accused of slapping a 3-year-old girl across the face and knocking her to the ground, according to a police report. She was also charged with cruelty to children.
