Window Blind Cord Tragedy
Seventeen month old Jaclyn Frank died on Thursday December 1st, 2005. She strangled on window blind cords at Julie Norris' State-licensed daycare center near Bothell, WA.
After the death of Jaclyn, DSHS "indefinitely suspended" Norris' license pending a CPS investigation.
It was only after Jaclyn died that her parents learned there were four valid complaints against the provider, including one for lack of supervision after a toddler broke a leg.
Jaclyn's mother was referred to the daycare by State-funded Child Care Resource & Referral.
This case underscores the critical need for parents to have access to complete complaint histories of child care providers. Had Jaclyn's parents known about the previous complaints, they might have chosen a different facility.
The danger of window blind cords is often overlooked. Jaclyn's death has helped raise awareness about this hidden hazard in homes and child care facilities.