Memorial for boy found dead in daycare van
ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Around 200 people showed up in front of a daycare center for a memorial service, to remember a 3-year-old boy who died. Chiel Banks grieves over the loss of her son, Myles Hill.
"He's 3 and he's going to be 4 on the 22nd of this month, and he's not going to be having a birthday," she said. "I still don't believe it."
Investigators said Myles died in a daycare van at Little Miracles Academy, after being left inside the hot van all day. Police said the driver failed to do a head count.
Chiel added, "It should be closed, because if they could do it to him, it could be anybody else. Nobody should go through what I'm going through."
"My grandchild suffered," said Cory Esters.
The Florida Department of Children and Families said they plan to shut down the facility and another owned by the same person by tomorrow.
"Our hearts are broken by the news of the loss of this child and we will assist all those who loved Myles in any way possible as they mourn this tragedy," said DCF Secretary Mike Carroll, in a statement sent to FOX 35. "DCF child care licensing staff are conducting a thorough investigation and will also continue to coordinate with law enforcement as they investigate. DCF is pursuing every legal option available to cease operations by tomorrow at both of these facilities."
"This is an absolute tragedy. No one would have expected this to happen," said Karen Willis, CEO Early Learning Coalition of Orange County. "If the facilities are indeed closed down, then we would make services available to any of the parents who are going to either of those two facilities."
As friends and family remember this precious boy with a beautiful smile, his mother said he was little genius.
"I would call him my baby Jesus, because he knew everything," Banks said.
But now that he's gone, her heart breaks.
"I want justice for my baby."
The family says Myles was not insured. A Go Fund Me account has been set up for Myles's funeral expenses, which you can find here.