A Caldwell County wrongful death lawsuit filed this week exposes the alleged negligence behind the 2025 death of 16-month-old Madolyn Amara ‘Maddy’ Mitchell at a Lenoir daycare in North Carolina, alleging recklessness and negligence by a former employee.
The complaint, submitted Monday in Caldwell Superior Court by Angel Dawn Blankenship and Jovon Jerell Mitchell as co-administrators of Maddy’s estate, names former daycare worker Alexandra Coffey as the defendant.
According to the filing, Coffey’s actions directly contributed to the toddler’s death while she attended Creative Beginnings of Lenoir.
The lawsuit claims that Coffey placed Maddy face down on a nap mat, covering her head with a blanket.
When the child resisted, the filing alleges that Coffey pressed her body across the toddler’s upper torso while using her phone.
The suit further asserts that Coffey left Maddy under the blanket for roughly three hours without checking on her, only returning to find the child unresponsive, the Daily Mail reported.
Emergency responders attempted CPR on the toddler, but Maddy was pronounced dead at a local hospital later that day.
The North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner classified the death as a homicide caused by smothering and compression asphyxia, aligning with the civil complaint’s description of events, according to WJZY.
The lawsuit emphasizes Coffey’s alleged breach of professional duty, asserting she failed to “constantly supervise Maddy to prevent accidents, injuries, or death” and did not maintain a safe environment.
The filing cites negligence, gross negligence, recklessness, and willful misconduct in connection with the toddler’s death.
According to WCNC, state records indicate that Creative Beginnings had prior violations.
A 2024 inspection revealed lapses in safe sleep practices and deficiencies in staff certification for CPR and first aid.
Following Maddy’s death, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services revoked the daycare’s license and ordered the facility closed.
Coffey was arrested in 2025 on charges of involuntary manslaughter related to Maddy’s death and is being held on a $500,000 bond.
The civil lawsuit seeks both compensatory and punitive damages, with the amounts to be determined by a jury. The family’s filing underscores their pursuit of accountability and hopes to prevent similar tragedies.
In detailing Maddy’s final moments, the complaint highlights Coffey’s alleged disregard for the child’s movements, including kicking and struggling under the blanket, which went unchecked for hours.
The lawsuit portrays these actions as entirely avoidable with proper supervision and adherence to safety protocols.
Creative Beginnings issued a statement following the tragedy, expressing grief and support for Maddy’s family.
“Our hearts are broken, and we’re struggling to find the right words in the face of such sorrow,” the statement read.
The daycare requested prayers for both staff and the family during this difficult period.
The case has drawn attention to broader issues in childcare oversight, including staff preparedness, adherence to safety regulations, and the responsibility of daycare workers to safeguard young children.
The lawsuit seeks not only restitution for the family but also greater awareness of these critical responsibilities in early childhood care.
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