A Mother-Daughter Tragedy: Daycare Operators with Past Violations Arrested Following Backyard Pool Drowning of Two Toddlers

In California, a mother and daughter, operators of a home daycare previously cited for regulatory violations, were apprehended following a tragic incident where three toddlers gained access to an open pool safety gate. 

Two of the toddlers drowned during the brief absence of one of the caretakers, who had stepped away to finish the preparation of tea and oatmeal in the kitchen for approximately five minutes.

Shahin Gheblehshenas, 64, and her daughter Nina Fathizadeh, 41, were charged with child neglect resulting in death, child endangerment, and criminal negligence, according to a news release by the authorities. The distressing event occurred on October 2, prompting a swift response from law enforcement.

Investigative reports obtained by NBC’s Bay Area affiliate KNTV detailed the harrowing sequence of events leading up to the tragic incident. 

The reports indicated that the pool safety gate had been left ajar, possibly due to routine plant watering, a practice carried out by Gheblehshenas' husband. Despite the knowledge of this practice, the gate remained unchecked by Gheblehshenas before the daycare commenced operations that fateful morning.

During the critical period, Fathizadeh, in charge of supervising the children, reportedly opened the sliding glass door to the backyard, where the pool gate remained propped open. She then briefly left the children unattended in the yard to attend to kitchen duties. 

It was during this interval that the devastating incident occurred, ultimately resulting in the loss of two young lives.

Following the issuance of arrest warrants, both suspects voluntarily surrendered themselves at the San Jose Police Department headquarters and were subsequently booked into custody.

Records revealed that the daycare had previously received multiple citations, with pending action for its license revocation. Despite attempts to reach the daycare for comment, the voicemail was found to be full, and there was no immediate response to inquiries from Law&Crime.

 

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