Chicago Injury Attorney Blog

The state of Illinois is ordering the Minee Subee daycare center in Lincolnshire to shut down after one of its workers was charged with the first-degree murder of a 16-month-old child who was being taken care of at the facility.

The daycare employee, Melissa M Calusinski, is accused of allegedly throwing Benjamin Kingan onto the floor on January 14 because she was frustrated that the children were making so much noise. The toddler sustained traumatic brain injuries, a skull fracture, and massive bleeding. Benjamin died from his injuries.

Kalunski was a teacher’s aid at the Chicago daycare center. She reportedly told investigators that she “forcefully threw” Benjamin to the ground after she lost her temper. Following the alleged assault, the toddler grabbed a blanket, climbed into a chair, and passed out. It was then that Kalunski contacted police and asked other workers for help.

Premises Liability
Chicago daycare centers and other facilities charged with the care or supervision of children are supposed to make sure there are no hazardous conditions or dangerous persons on a premise that could cause a child under their care any harm. When failure to properly supervise employees, remove or repair dangerous conditions, or provide proper security on the premise leads to injuries or death, the premise owner and others involved could be held liable with a Chicago personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.

In an unrelated incident, The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that a 30-year-old mother broke the window of a local daycare center when she saw that her son was alone and locked inside the facility. Police are looking into this matter.

Daycare where baby died shut down, Chicago Sun Times, January 30, 2009

Mom Finds Child Locked Inside Daycare Alone, Chicago-Sun Times, January 28, 2009

Grieving Mom Speaks at Toddler's Funeral, NBC Chicago, January 22, 2009

Toddler's 'injuries weren't apparent', Lake County News Sun, January 19, 2009