When Johnson County prosecutors charged her in the April 2009 death
of a child at the daycare she ran out of her Olathe home, Jeanette L. Lawrence was writing a book about how to run a daycare.
Prosecutors have charged Lawrence with involuntary
manslaughter and aggravated child endangerment in the death of 18-month-old Ava Patrick.
Authorities believed the girl pushed a chair to a fence separating toddlers and babies at
the daycare, stood on the chair and then fell, getting her neck stuck between
the fence slats and strangling to death. A complaint filed
with the state accuses Lawrence of operating a daycare with more
children than her license allowed. KMBC
Channel 9 cited state records that showed that Lawrence was caring for
14 children -- when she should only have been caring for six -- at the time of Ava's death. Fox 4 reported that
Lawrence was operating on a suspended license.
Meanwhile, Amazon.com lists a recently released book titled Your Child's Daycare: Everything you need to know from start to finish by Jeanette Lawrence. A paperback copy will set you back $18.99.
Lawrence's attorney, John Gerstle, says he was aware that his client was writing a book about daycare, but he
wasn't certain the book on Amazon.com was the one Lawrence was writing.
The Pitch tried to reach Lawrence by phone, but her number has been disconnected.
Amazon's product description calls the book "a one of a kind
comprehensive guide for parents" who are considering putting their children in daycare. The description
also claims the book will educate parents on the "laws and regulations
to maintaining their chosen daycare."
The
description concludes: "The purpose of this book is to provide parents
with the knowledge and power to insure they choose a quality daycare
ran by a trained professional that will provide a safe and nurturing
environment."
The "about the author" section says:
Jeanette LawrenceSo far, the book has received two five-star reviews.is a freelance writer and child educator who has worked in the child
care industry for the past 34 years. Having operated her own childcare
center for 26 years she became aware of the issues that parent face in
choosing the proper childcare for their children. Pulling upon her
personal experience and extensive research, Jeanette addresses these
issues in a no nonsense, easy to understand resource to help parents
make one of the most difficult decisions of their child's life.
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A actually excellent article by you my pal. I've bookmarked this web page and can occur again following several days to verify for almost any new posts that you simply make.
I agree with Suzy and Laura, there is not much money in the childcare busniess, I have been operating for over 15 years. I can see thr hurt in the lady's eyes too. i'm sure it was not intentionally, that why it say "involuntary" charges. Yet, still I sympathize for that baby and her family, becaude ther child died, she gone, can't come back. I know that when you do wrong, there are things to follow that,and unfortunately for the child, and herself dishonesty hasd it'ds oewn price. She had no right to be that greedy, even though I know myself that there its a scuffle and hustle to make any type of decent profit in daycare. The licensing process is set up to keep you from profiting, and you do lots of work for the little money you make, and not to mention all the requirements they have yoiu purchase and limit you to a such few children tempoting people to cheat to afford to keep operating.This lady should have atleast had additional providers to help her if she was going to cheat anyway. Because with little children a staff to child ratio needs to be 6 per adult or less. But with other reliable assistance the state and city needs to allow a provider a chance to provide care and get paid fairly which will not cause so much greedy desperateness. I prayed everyday for safety and things in my childcare to be an alarm, alert to me that I may not notice. I aleays provided additional help for myself and ther children. I evn stopped for a few years now, because of all the state hasseling and rule changes,so that a provider can't make a penney. I stopped because in order to stay a float at the time, there would have been a need to be dishonest as to the amount of children needed beyound the licensing amount. I pray for the family for peace of the child, because I know accidents can happen, but this one could of not happened, it was pure greed and selfishness. Whoe approved the use of a picket fence to sperate children anyway.
I think the baby gate should be recalled. This is tragic and I'm sure the author feels terrible for what happened under her care. I agree with Laura that the pain is evident in her eyes.
These comments are all vicious and hurtful, not helpful, but don't worry. The pain this woman has already suffered is unmistakable if you bother to look in her eyes. I'm sure your words are akin to throwing a match at a burning building to her.
That's pretty funny. As I think we all know, ex anything�s are so unbiased. :) So far as Ava's parents getting money from the daycare lady. Didn't she have insurance? I'm sure that they will receive a settlement from that source. Not that they are, or should be, concerned with that at this point. But seriously, if the daycare lady had anything, would she have been doing daycare in the first place? My sister did daycare for about two years and after all the expenses involved she stopped and went to work in an office. Not much money there, especially enough to hide.
I don't think her x husband would want to come out and say anything about her. First of all they would be lies and second of all he probably wouldnt want his own history brought up in a court of law. An Attorney could really slam dunk him in the ground. And if his daughter has to testify to his character as well, it wouldnt be pretty.
Who is Jeanette's ex-husband and if any of you have information, I plead with you to go to the DA. For the sake of this child and her family please.
People would be chocked at what ex-husbands know. Maybe someone should contact Lawrence's ex-husband. I'm sure he could shed light on her.
This little girls family should get everything Lawrence has or will have. They have lost a daughter. What has Larence lost, a job?
THe problem is, Lawrence is not stupid. She has hidden everything under someone elses name so that if they try to get anything, they wont find it, I'm sure.
THis is totally discusting!
It's supprising how much ex-husbands know... Maybe people should talk to Lawrence's Ex-husband.
THe family of that little girl should get everything Jeanette has or will ever have.
THen again, she's not stupid, she will hide everything in someone elses name, if she hasn't already.
You've got to be kidding me. This woman was operating on a suspected license?
Oh, the humanity!
Hmm...maybe the scant amount of sales money could go to a fund for the little girl and her family?
I hope jeanette get the maximum punishment you can get for this crime. what people need to understand is that A little girl is DEAD and she had the nerve to still publish this book. she neglected to watch that little girl and because of that she is gone. My heart goes out to the family and i pray that they get they get some peace out of this. People like you Jeanette give honest to god good daycare's a bad name. enjoy you days in jail.
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