BRUNSWICK, Ga. — The day care center where a 1-year-old boy choked and later died on Tuesday has been ordered to close, according to the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL).
Thursday, DECAL issued an order of emergency closure for the Kids Nest Learning Center on Benedict Road in Brunswick after news broke of the child's death.
The child was 16-month-old Jamal Bryant, according to the Glynn County Coroner. He was rushed to the emergency room after choking on a watermelon.
This isn't the first time the facility has been at the center of an investigation. In 2022 former Kids Nest director Manjeet Grant was arrested and charged with battery after she was accused of slapping a 3-year-old girl across the face, knocking her to the ground, according to a police report.
She was also charged with cruelty to children. First Coast News tried to call the day care center for comment, but according to posts on social media, the center told parents it would be closed for the rest of the week.
DECAL says the center has 48 hours to appeal this decision, before an administrative law judge will make an ultimate ruling.
They recommend any impacted families who need help call 1-877-ALL GA KIDS or go to www.qualityrated.org.