Accidental strangling of tot.......1989

STAGERS, ALLERDICE

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 8/19/2024 at 04:03:41

1989 MR 23

Accidental strangling of tot under investigation
From The Register's Davenport Bureau

DAVENPORT, IA. - A 2-year-old girl apparently strangled to death accidentally Tuesday in a high chair at a baby sitter's house, authorities said.

Lindsay Stagers, daughter of James and Rebecca Stagers of Davenport, was pronounced dead at a Davenport hospital Tuesday evening.

Police were continuing to investigate and weren't sure how the accident happened.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Home investigated where girl died, 20 tots found

By Victoria Benning
Register Staff Writer

Scott County authorities are investigating the accidental death of a 2 1/2-year-old girl at a Davenport home where police this week found 20 children and no license to operate a child-care business.

Assistant County Attorney James Ottesen said that after Wednesday's search, the county also was considering charges against Wanda Gheer for operating a child-care center without a license.

"We're investigating the entire situation," Ottesen said Thursday.

Authorities said 2 1/2-year-old Lindsay Stagers, the daughter of James and Rebecca Stagers of Davenport, died at Gheer's home March 21 when she apparently climbed into a highchair, slipped and was strangled by the highchair's tray.

After her death, neighbors complained that too few adults were at the home to provide adequate supervision for the number of children there.

Darold Vanzele, supervisor of the Davenport office of the Iowa Davenport of Human Services, said police on Wednesday searched the home and found 20 childrn - two of whom were relatives of Gheer. Authorities would not say how many adults were there.

State law requires registration and licensing for individuals caring for seven or more children at once, Vanszele said. Caring for relatives does not fall under the guidelines, he said.

Police Lt. Clif Siems said parents of the children at the home Wednesday were called to retrieve them.

Gheer said Thursday she didn't know she had done anything wrong.

Authorities said Gheer has been investigated before, but never charged, for caring for children without a license.

Source: "Scrapbook 1989 - 1990", Pg. 603,
Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, Van Buren Co., IA

Van Buren Documents maintained by Rich Lowe.
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