TWO TODDLERS ESCAPE DAYCARES AT SAME JAMESTOWN COMMUNITY CENTER
WBIR reports that in Fentress County, Tennessee, two young children recently wandered away from separate daycares operating inside the Jamestown Community Center, raising serious safety concerns. In March, 2½-year-old Stevie Reynolds walked out of Kids Korner Daycare and was left unattended outside for more than 15 minutes. Her parents only learned about the incident days later, prompting an investigation by the Tennessee Department of Human Services. Two daycare employees were later arrested and charged with negligent child endangerment.
On May 7, a similar incident occurred at the adjacent Head Start program when 3-year-old Dawsyn Delk exited the building alone around 10:53 a.m. Security footage showed him walking back and forth before heading into the middle of the road, where he was picked up by a passerby roughly 100–150 yards from the center. He had been outside unattended for at least 10 minutes and told investigators he was trying to go to a gas station for juice. In both cases, staff did not realize the children were missing until after they had left the premises.
The Tennessee Department of Human Services is investigating the latest incident alongside law enforcement. Jamestown Mayor Harvey Stowers acknowledged the growing concern and the potential liability for the city, which leases space to the daycares. City leaders are now reviewing their agreements with the facilities. Parents of both children expressed frustration and fear, questioning how such lapses could occur and whether their children would have been safe without outside intervention. Head Start officials have not responded to requests for comment.
