The owner of a licensed residential daycare facility in Manteca pleaded guilty to child abuse, involuntary manslaughter and a drunk driving charge this week following the death of a baby in her care, the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s office said.
Roxanne Helus, owner of Cherished Years Daycare, had been arrested last October after a call that a five-month-old child was not breathing. She was determiened to be intoxicated and was arrested by Manteca police.
On the day of the arrest, October 22, Helus was caring for six children and began drinking alcohol at 4 a.m. She drove two children to school while intoxicated, prosecutors said.
She ordered more than than $100 worth of alcoholic beverages to be delivered to the daycare. She took the baby to an trailer that was not part of the licensed facility when the child had the medical emergency. She did not immediately seek medical help and her blood alcohol level was determined to be 0.29%, well above the 0.08% limited for DUI.
“Investigators determined that every minute of delay in obtaining emergency assistance negatively impacted the child’s chances of survival,” the office said. “The investigation further revealed that Helus’ conduct created a substantial risk of death or great bodily injury to every child entrusted to her care. Her actions demonstrated a conscious disregard for the safety and welfare of the children she was legally obligated to protect.”