Authorities have temporarily closed a South Florida daycare where a 2-year-old child was found dead inside a transport van parked outside.
Officials with Broward County’s Child Care Licensing and Enforcement division announced Tuesday that they have closed Ceressa's Daycare and Preschool in Oakland Park while the investigation into the death of Noah Sneed is completed.
Broward Sheriff's Office investigators say Sneed was found inside the van around 3:30 p.m. Monday. He appeared to have been there all day as temperatures in South Florida hovered in the low 90s.
Detectives said Noah was transported in the van to Ceressa's on Monday morning. Sheriff's officials received a call asking for medical assistance in the afternoon. They're interviewing employees and other witnesses to determine what happened. An autopsy also will be performed.
Officials said parents are being given assistance in finding an alternate daycare during the closure.
"We are saddened by the situation and are providing the mother and family with the appropriate services," said Ryon Coote, with Broward Partnership. "We extend our thoughts and prayers to the mother and her family during this difficult time."
NBC 6 has been unable to reach the daycare owners for comment.
Meanwhile, songs and prayer marked a vigil for Noah Tuesday night outside of the day care.
"I miss my baby," said his mother, Chanese Sneed. "He was the happiest thing ever."
Family and friends released dozens of balloons into the air in Noah's honor.
"My baby was a happy baby before those people picked him up and took him to school and then we got a call that he won’t come home," grandmother Charlene Brooks said. "It's not right, their negligence hurt my grandbaby. It’s not right."
"I just want justice for my baby. Please. That's all," Chanese Sneed said.
A GoFundMe was set up to assist Noah's family.
