Preschool Director/Co-owner arrested, after baby dies from being left in van

Jacksonville, FL — The Co-owner and Director of the Ewing’s Love & Hope Preschool & Academy on the Westside has been arrested in connection to the investigation of a baby who died when she was left in the facility’s van for more than four hours.

Jail records show Darryl Ewing has been arrested for child neglect. He was booked in to the Duval County Jail at 8:18 PM. A biography on the preschool’s  website identifies him as the director, but JSO calls him the co-owner of the facility.

An infant died Wednesday, after being found unconscious and not breathing in a car seat in the back of the preschool's van. This evening, JSO is giving more insight on what they say is Ewing's role.

JSO says the facility offers pickups for children, although the Florida Department of Children and Families says they weren't informed of that, so they weren't monitoring transportation regulations. On Wednesday. JSO says Ewing was the driver of the van and sole staff member on board. After picking up children, police say he got to the preschool around 8:25 AM and the children offloaded. A four-month-old was left in a car seat in the third row of the van, though.

It wasn’t until the baby’s mother called a little after 1 PM to make after-school arrangements that police say the preschool realized the little girl hadn’t been checked in. JSO says the driver’s log kept by Ewing showed he noted two siblings of the baby, but not the victim herself. Police say the facility’s employees told them it is the van driver who is responsible for ensuring all children get off the van.

A sign on the door of the preschool shows they intend to be closed through Monday. DCF says they are working to issue an emergency suspension that would force the facility to suspend operations.

JSO says Ewing’s actions failed to provide the victim appropriate supervision, which ultimately contributed to her death.

Ewing refused to talk with detectives, according to JSO.

Jail records show Ewing has multiple prior arrests dating back to 2008 but as recent as 2014, for driving or operating a vehicle without a valid license. He was designated a habitual traffic offender through these arrests.

Police say this investigation is still active.