News Summary
A mother in St. Petersburg has been arrested following the tragic death of her 9-month-old son at an unlicensed daycare she operated. The child suffered cardiac arrest after being administered cough syrup inappropriate for infants. Authorities discovered she misrepresented herself as a licensed provider, caring for over a dozen children in her one-bedroom apartment. Charged with aggravated manslaughter and misrepresentation of childcare license, the incident raises critical concerns about the safety of unlicensed daycare facilities and the importance of verifying childcare provider credentials.
St. Petersburg, FL – A 31-year-old woman, Desiree Rentz, has been arrested nearly a year after the tragic death of a 9-month-old baby at an unlicensed daycare facility she operated in St. Petersburg. The baby, identified as Timothy David Smith, was found in cardiac arrest on July 25, 2024, prompting a police response to Rentz’s apartment.
At approximately 1:45 p.m., officers were summoned to the Reserve at Lake Pointe Apartments following reports of an unresponsive infant who could not be awakened from a nap. Upon their arrival, the child was discovered in critical condition, and emergency medical personnel subsequently transported him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
An autopsy later revealed that Timothy had been administered cough syrup that is not recommended for children under 4 years old. This medication was given to him without the consent of either parent. The investigation further uncovered that Rentz was operating the daycare out of her one-bedroom apartment with more than a dozen children present at the time of the incident.
Authorities found that Rentz misrepresented herself to the parents of the children under her care, falsely claiming to be a licensed daycare operator. In reality, she had never held a daycare license. The licenses displayed on her wall were for temporary foster care, which legally permits the supervision of only one child, starkly deviating from the actual number of children she was caring for.
As a result of these findings, Rentz has been charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child and misrepresentation of a childcare license resulting in death. Her arrest was made possible with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service, and she is currently being held at the Pinellas County Jail with a bail set at $175,000.
A public defender has been appointed to represent Rentz, and a not guilty plea was entered on her behalf. The case is drawing attention to the critical issues surrounding unlicensed daycare operations and the safety of children in such environments.
In light of this incident, a major from the St. Petersburg Police Department stressed the importance for parents to verify the licensing status of their chosen childcare providers. Many families rely on daycare services, particularly during school breaks, making it essential for parents to ensure that caregivers are properly licensed and qualified.
To assist parents in finding licensed childcare providers, resources are available through organizations such as the Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County and Florida’s Child Care Provider Search. These platforms can help families navigate the options and ensure the welfare of their children.
This tragic event serves as a reminder for parents to conduct thorough vetting of childcare services to prevent potentially dangerous situations. Ensuring children are cared for in safe, licensed environments is a parental responsibility that can significantly impact their well-being.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Elderly Driver Crashes Into House, Dog Injured
Woman Arrested for Manslaughter in Daycare Death
St. Petersburg Woman Arrested for Manslaughter in Daycare Case
Woman Arrested After Infant’s Death at Unlicensed Daycare
Tragic Death of Infant Leads to Arrest of Unlicensed Daycare Operator
St. Petersburg Woman Charged in Death of Infant at Daycare
Woman Arrested for Aggravated Manslaughter at Unlicensed Daycare
Additional Resources
- Fox 13 News
- Wikipedia: Child Care in the United States
- WFLA News
- Google Search: Licensed Daycare Safety
- ABC Action News
- Google Scholar: Daycare Licensing Regulations
- WTSP News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Care
- Patch News
- Google News: Unlicensed Daycare Incidents
