Alabama Day Care Owner Faces 27 Felony Charges After Infant Dies During Nap
RED BAY, ALABAMA – An Alabama day care owner is facing nearly 30 felony charges after a 4-month-old baby girl died in her facility when an employee placed her face-down on a Boppy pillow for a nap and left her unattended.
Day Care Owner Charged With Manslaughter
Authorities announced that Angelene Chamblee, 49, owner of Tiny Tigers Day Care Center, was arrested Wednesday and charged with one count of manslaughter, 18 counts of possession of a forged instrument, two counts of forgery, and six counts of operating a day care without a license.
Chamblee posted bond and was released the same day, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
The 2022 Death of Autumn Wells
The case stems from the March 2022 death of Autumn Wells, who was under the care of Tiny Tigers employees Payton Gann and Madison McCalpin.
Investigators said Gann placed the infant face-down on a Boppy pillow and then left the facility for an extended period of time. When she returned, Autumn was unresponsive.
Paramedics rushed the baby to a hospital, but doctors pronounced her dead shortly after arrival. The medical examiner later determined that her body temperature indicated she had been dead for at least two hours before being found.
Multiple Employees Already Convicted
Gann was convicted of manslaughter in 2023, while McCalpin pleaded guilty to the same charge in exchange for testifying against her coworker.
Two others — Teia Gann and Hannah Grace Letson — took plea deals after admitting to witness tampering, allegedly lying about where Autumn died at the instruction of Gann and her mother.
New Evidence Leads to Additional Charges
According to a motion obtained by WHNT, prosecutors said new witness interviews and evidence uncovered during trial preparations for Gann warranted re-presenting Chamblee’s alleged involvement to a grand jury.
Prosecutors argue Chamblee’s negligence and licensing violations directly contributed to the unsafe conditions that led to the infant’s death.
Chamblee’s case marks the latest chapter in a tragedy that has devastated the Red Bay community. For continuing coverage of court cases and local safety updates, follow ChicagoMusicGuide.com.