Willard Shepard

Head of Daycare Where Child Died Says Respiratory Condition Not Disclosed

The head of a daycare at the center of a manslaughter case said there was medical information about a 4-year-old boy who died in a hot car that was never given to her until recently.

Cecily Roberts is facing charges of aggravated manslaughter and felony child care misrepresentation about Coleman’s death two years ago. Police said Coleman died after he was left in a hot SUV at a Broward County apartment complex for approximately two hours.

Roberts talked exclusively with NBC 6’s Willard Shepard Wednesday and said that no one let her know that Jordan Coleman, 4, had a significant respiratory problem and that could have impacted when he died or how he was supervised at the Three C’s Daycare.

Wednesday, Roberts’ attorney, Gary Ostrow, said Coleman had a respiratory problem that haven’t been presented anywhere before.

“This kid suffered from a respiratory condition that very well could have been part of his cause of death,” Ostrow alleged. “Maybe the heat stroke factor contributed. He might have been dead before the heat stroke for all we know. This was never disclosed.”

“Had we known about the nebulizer, then we would have been able to make sure that he was, stayed close, more attention,” Roberts said. “You know that we will know like his nebulizer, let’s check to make sure that everybody is okay, breathing wise. Is it time for him to have the nebulizer to be on the safe side.”

NBC 6 reached out to the Broward State Attorney’s office about the allegation about the medical information. The state attorney’s office said it had not received the filing and couldn’t comment on the matter.

Two women working for Roberts at the Three C’s Day Academy who were with Jordan are also awaiting trial in the case. The family of Jordan Coleman has also filed a civil lawsuit against the daycare saying they expected the boy to be safe.

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