Mother Demands Answers After Her 2-Year-Old Son Chokes to Death at YWCA Daycare
A Connecticut mother is grieving the unimaginable after her two-year-old son, Saunti Reynolds, died while in the care of the YWCA daycare center in New Britain. The cause: choking on a meatball during lunch.
Now, she’s speaking out, demanding accountability and answers from those entrusted with her son’s safety.
Timeline of the Tragedy
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On July 29, Shamyra Cooke dropped off her son, Saunti, around 8:55 a.m. at the YWCA daycare.
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Less than three hours later, she received a call saying her son had choked, but that everything was under control.
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When Cooke arrived, she found EMTs performing CPR. Saunti was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
A Mother’s Devastating Questions
Shamyra Cooke, a hospital employee, said she was misled by the initial call.
“They told me he was fine. But when I got there and saw them doing CPR, I knew they lied.”
Now she wants to know:
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Was the food age-appropriate?
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Was anyone watching him while he ate?
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Why wasn’t she told the full truth immediately?
What the Daycare Says
The YWCA issued a statement expressing condolences and claimed staff followed proper protocols:
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They say first aid was administered.
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911 was called immediately.
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The center is now cooperating with authorities.
But the state Department of Children and Families (DCF), local police, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner have launched investigations to determine what really happened.
Why This Isn’t Just One Case
Choking is one of the leading causes of unintentional injury death in children under 5.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics:
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Children under 4 should not be given round or firm foods (like whole grapes or meatballs) unless properly cut.
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Choking can occur in seconds, especially if supervision lapses or emergency action is delayed.
How This Could Have Been Prevented
Experts recommend:
| Best Practice | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Cut food into small, manageable pieces | Reduces choking risk for toddlers |
| One-on-one supervision during meals | Ensures immediate response if the child is in distress |
| CPR & Heimlich training for all staff | Seconds can make the difference between life and death |
| Clear parent communication protocols | Builds trust and enables swift emergency decisions |
Saunti’s family described him as joyful, curious, and full of love. His mother said he loved dancing, cartoons, and mimicking her every move.
“He was my baby. I just want to know why he had to die like this,” she said at a press conference.
“No parent should have to go through this. Ever.”
The Bigger Picture
This case raises major concerns about:
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Daycare food policies
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Staff training in emergency response
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Transparency between care providers and families
While investigations continue, Saunti’s name is becoming a symbol for change.
One Child. One Life. Demands One Standard.
No lawsuit or investigation can bring back a lost child. But tragedies like this demand urgent review, and reform.
For Saunti, for his mother, and for every parent who trusts a daycare with their child’s life, safety must come first—every minute, every meal, every day.
