1-year-old who was hurt at Visalia daycare has died, triggering homicide probe, police say

A 1-year-old girl has died at the hospital days after she was hurt while at a daycare center in Visalia, police said, turning the investigation into a homicide case.

Officers received reports about 2:40 p.m. Wednesday of an unconscious girl at the Imagination Playhouse Daycare in the 3300 block of West Sunnyside Avenue.

The child was taken to Kaweah Health and in critical condition before being airlifted to Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera County. Doctors told officers that the injuries to the child appeared non-accidental, according to the Visalia Police Department.

After executing a search warrant at the daycare and conducting interviews, officers arrested 41-year-old Amanda Taylor. Taylor was the only adult who had contact with the victim during that time, police said.

The child died Monday. Charges against Taylor have been amended to include homicide, police said in a news release.

“The Violent Crimes Unit received additional reports of child abuse by Amanda Taylor and is conducting additional investigations,” the Monday update from the Police Department stated. “Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Andrew Saelee.”

Saelee is at 559-713-4576. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact the Anonymous Tip Line at 559-734-5302.

This story was originally published November 8, 2021 at 7:37 PM.