Family sues Lombard day care owner over infant's death

The family of a 3-month-old girl who died at a Lombard day care in November has filed a lawsuit alleging the owner left the infant on her stomach unsupervised, ultimately leading to her death.

On Nov. 15, 2016, Jason Hart, an owner of Tender Hart's Family Home Care and Learning Inc. 28 South Lodge, was responsible for supervising 20 children by himself, according to the suit. One of those children, 3-month-old Tessa McDaniel, was placed facedown on blanket while Hart left to get a bottle, according to the lawsuit. When he returned, McDaniel was not breathing.

Hart is not facing criminal charges in connection with the infant's death, rather the lawsuit accuses Hart of violating state day care home standards, requiring every four infants to be supervised by one adult.

Illinois DCFS has closed the day care during its investigation into eight licensing violations.

Hart could not immediately be reached for comment.