A 6-month-old became unresponsive and died after being placed in a bouncy seat at a daycare in Georgia.
In a statement shared with PEOPLE, the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, which oversees daycares in Georgia, said that the incident occurred at the Pittman Park Education Center in Statesboro on Wednesday, Feb. 12.
The childcare agency said initial reports showed that the unidentified infant “was placed in a bouncy seat and later became unresponsive while being attended to by staff.” The child was six months old, per ABC local affiliate WJCL and WTOC.
According to Grice Connect, Bulloch County EMS responded to the daycare around 12:30 p.m., and the infant was then transported to the hospital.
The child was first transported to East Georgia Regional Medical Center and then transferred to Memorial Medical Center Children’s Hospital in Savannah before dying on Monday, Feb. 17, per Grice Connect.
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The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning confirmed the child’s death and said they are “deeply saddened by the tragic incident.”
“This is an open investigation. At DECAL, our top priority is the health and safety of Georgia’s youngest learners,” their statement added.
In an interview with WJCL, Statesboro Police Department Captain Jared Akins said that the investigation could take some time as “you have to establish a baseline on the child, the child’s health, the child’s behavior, people’s interactions with the child.”
He told the outlet they “don’t prejudge anything until the evidence comes out, the interviews are done, and the medical exam is complete.”
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Reverend Dr. Jonathan Smith, Senior Pastor at Pittman Park United Methodist Church, said in a statement obtained by WJCL 22 and WTOC that they are “working closely with all necessary agencies to navigate this situation with care, compassion, and sensitivity.”
“Our entire Pittman Park Education Center (PPEC) family is grieving alongside this child’s loved ones during this devastating time,” said Smith. “We ask our community to join us in lifting this family up in prayer, offering them comfort, strength, and peace in the midst of unimaginable loss.”
“As a faith-filled community, we are committed to surrounding them with love, support, and the unwavering grace of God,” the statement added, per the outlets.
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PEOPLE reached out to the Pittman Park United Methodist Church but did not immediately hear back.
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