SANDY SPRINGS, GA (WGCL/CNN) — A family is mourning after a 2-year-old died while choking on a snack at daycare.
2-year-old Caroline Thome died last month after choking during her afternoon snack at Primrose School of Sandy Springs North in Georgia. An investigation is underway to find what she choked on.
Suzanne Darley, an owner of a preschool, says this could have been prevented.
"It’s heartbreaking these parents rely on us to keep children educated happy and most importantly safe so it struck a nerve," Darley said.
When asked what was in place to make sure this never happened again, Primrose avoided the question.
"We are heartbroken over the loss of one of our students. She was a joy to everyone who knew her, and we miss her dearly."
Suzanne Darley is a mom and because she wanted to keep her child safe she opened up her own preschool.
"When things like this happen we have to double down and do better," she said.
Right now the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning has the following food items restricted for kids 3 and younger.
Peanuts, hot dogs, raw carrots,popcorn and fish with bones.
"We need that list to be more comprehensive form bright from the start," Darley said.
Darley says the choking hazards list should reflect what the CDC recommends.
"It’s priority number one to make sure our children are safe. They eat several times a day so this should be the first thing we look at how can we improve our practice," she said.
According to the National Safety Council, choking is one of the leading causes of unintentional death for infants.
"I can't imagine losing my child and my heart goes out to them they have a lot of people praying for them," she said.
A good tip for parents is to make sure kids sit down while eating, cut food into small pieces, and encourage kids to eat slowly.
