A heartbroken mum has shared her devastating story of losing her toddler son in a horror accident at childcare.
18-month-old Deacon Morin was napping at his childcare with his amber teething necklace around his neck. Tragically, the necklace strangled him and he was found unresponsive by the childcare providers.
Daycare providers arrested over child endangerment
The childcare providers did not immediately call 911 but instead contacted their daycare manager. They eventually called 911 for help and Deacon was escorted to the hospital in critical condition.
He was taken off life support just a few days later.
The childcare workers involved in the case have since been charged with child endangerment and negligence and for operating a daycare with far too many children than allowed. On the day Deacon died, the daycare, which was licensed to have four infants, had six infants plus several older kids in their care.
‘Grieving the plans that we had made’
Now, Deacon’s heartbroken mum, Dani, advocates for child safety through her TikTok account, reminding other parents that amber necklaces are not as safe as they seem.
Dani often shares her grief on her TikTok account. Recently, on what should have been her son’s seventh birthday, she spoke out about life without Deacon.
I had all these big plans for his second birthday, so when that day came I was in immense pain,” she shared.
Another grieving mum told me at the time that in another five years from now, this pain will become bearable, but I think the biggest dagger to the chest is grieving the plans that we had made.
What would my son have been into at this point? We would’ve known what sports he liked by now, what his interests were and I grieve not being able to know that.”
Dani admits that she gets a lot of parents who comment that their toddlers love their amber necklaces and that they are a godsend when it comes to teething.
In a video, she explains,
We also loved our amber teething necklace. Until it strangled my son to death. Know better, do better. Child safety isn’t a parenting choice. It’s a duty.”
@danimorin13 Reply to @alexalujan5 @danimorin13 If you know this could be your outcome why risk it? #knowbetterdobetter #beagoodmom #safemomcheck @etsy ♬ iris – Tik Toker
Since Deacon’s death, Dani has also filed a lawsuit against the amber necklace seller on Etsy.
What the experts say about amber teething necklaces:
According to the Queensland Government,
Teething necklaces pose a serious choking hazard or strangulation risk to babies and toddlers.
Strangulation: The necklace may tighten around your child’s neck, especially while they sleep. Never let your child sleep while wearing a teething necklace.
Choking: The necklace may break if your child chews on it. This would release the small beads, which can get stuck in your child’s throat. Never let your child chew on the necklace.
We don’t support the use of these products due to the safety risk.”
Red Nose echoes this:
Red Nose does not recommend placing anything around the neck of a sleeping baby as this could tighten during sleep and make breathing difficult and may even strangle baby. Furthermore, strings of beads could break and individual beads could end up in a baby’s mouth, presenting a choking hazard.”
For alternative teething remedies, check out our top teething products of 2022.
