How a Kentucky infant’s death led to a safety resource for parents, guardians
Ryker Charles Smith was just three months old when he died in an unlicensed Frankfort daycare in July 2022.
His tragic death triggered a still-pending murder charge and negligence lawsuit against the center’s owner, Gina Palmer, and a warning for Kentucky families.
The Kentucky Division of Regulated Child Care now promotes a 10-point checklist of “Ryker’s Requests” that it says parents and guardians should consult before they choose a daycare for their own children.
“Know what questions to ask,” Ryker’s family urges other families in a statement posted on the agency’s website.
“We must be diligent in our research, thorough in our inquiries and unwavering in our commitment to our child’s safety and well-being.”
The medical examiner determined that Ryker suffered “accidental positional asphyxiation” at owner Gina Palmer’s unlicensed daycare. That means the infant was in a position that prevented him from breathing, said Liz Shepherd, a Louisville attorney who represents the Smith family. He could not be revived by paramedics or at the local hospital.
An attorney for Palmer declined to comment to the Herald-Leader. Palmer has denied wrongdoing in the criminal and civil cases against her.
The Ryker’s Request checklist for families includes:
▪ Verify the state licensure number (for larger child care centers) or certification number (for smaller home-based facilities). Look for a license or certificate on display on the premises. Use the state’s child care provider database at www.kynect.ky.gov to check a facility’s history, including past inspections, investigations and corrective plans.
▪ Observe. Schedule a meeting with the daycare operator and watch employees interact with children. Ask if surprise visits are allowed. Ensure there is continuous supervision, even during nap times.
▪ Inspect the environment. Tour indoor and outdoor spaces. Evaluate cleanliness and safety measures. Determine what resources are available for your child.
▪ Understand the sleeping arrangements. Discuss where and how the children, including babies, take their naps and what sleeping equipment is used.
▪ Ask the operator about who else provides care in the facility, or — in the case of a home-based facility — who else lives on the premises.
▪ Confirm that the operator and other employees undergo the mandatory background checks.
▪ Request references from other parents or guardians who have used the daycare.
▪ Verify CPR/first aid certification for employees.
▪ Check to see if the facility has equipment that is appropriate for your child’s age.
▪ Ask about the provider’s plans for emergencies and illnesses.
Elizabeth Fisher, a spokeswoman for the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, said the state also made it easier in 2022 for families to report complaints about child care to state regulators.
Parents and guardians can send concerns by email to CHFSOIGRCCCallCenter@ky.gov or call (502) 564-7962, ext. 2, and ask to speak to a representative, Fisher said.
