Police say day care where child died was unlicensed

FORT MILL, S.C. — A Fort Mill woman is charged with running an illegal day care from her home, just weeks after a toddler died while in her care.

Christina Capobianco, 35, turned herself in at the York County Sheriff's Department on Tuesday.

Sheriff's deputies first went to her home on Laurent Avenue on March 23. They found EMS crews doing CPR on a 19-month-old boy, who was unresponsive.

• VIDEO: Police Say Day Care Where Child Died Was Unlicensed

Detective Mike Baker said the boy was in a car seat asleep. He may have tried to get out of the seat and got caught up in the straps, Baker said.

“From what the investigation showed, the child probably slipped down into the car seat, and then was just in a position that caused asphyxiation," Baker said.

Another child in the home called 911.

Capobianco is not being charged in connection to the child's death.

Neighbors didn't want to be interviewed, but told Eyewitness News they were shocked and didn't know Capobianco ran the business from her home.

Baker said Capobianco ran the day care for about two years. There were six children in the house on the day the 19-month-old died, though three of them were her own.

According to South Carolina law, if you care for more than one child who is not your own, you must register with the Department of Social Services if you have them for more than two days a week and more than four hours a day.

Deputies couldn't say how many children Capobianco cared for, but said her business was by referral only, and she did not advertise her child care services.

Marilyn Matthews with DSS in Columbia said unlicensed day cares are not uncommon.

“It varies, but we see one to two of them a month across the state," she said. “There's no real trend one way or another."

Baker said even though parents often know and trust a caregiver for their child, they still need to be aware of the law and do their homework.

"Licensing exists to protect the kids and the families,” Baker said. “They should ask questions and ask about a license.”

Eyewitness News tried to speak to Capobianco on Wednesday afternoon, but she was not available for comment.

Investigators said she has cooperated with them from the beginning. She could face a $1,500 fine or six months in jail if she's convicted.

WSOC