Former Lenoir daycare worker indicted in death of 16-month-old

The woman charged in connection to a child’s death at a Lenoir daycare was indicted on a murder charge this week.

Court records show a grand jury indicted Alexandra Coffey for second-degree murder on May 4.

Coffey was an employee at Creative Beginnings of Lenoir when 16-month-old Maddy Mitchell died on her first day at the daycare.

Around 2:45 p.m. on May 19, 2025, police were called to the daycare after Mitchell went into cardiac arrest. Paramedics attempted live-saving measures, but she was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Coffey was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter. She received a $500,000 bond.

In March, the child’s parents filed a lawsuit against Coffey. The lawsuit claims she laid on top of the toddler when she wouldn’t take a nap. The lawsuit says the child’s leg kicked for several minutes and then stopped. Coffey allegedly didn’t check on the girl for three hours.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services suspended the daycare’s license, and the business was permanently closed.