Crime & Safety

New Details In 4-Year-Old Boy's Death At Hillsborough Daycare Revealed

The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office is investigating after a four-year-old boy became unresponsive at a licensed child-care center.

Authorities are releasing new details about a 4-year-old boy's death at a Hillsborough child care center in August.
Authorities are releasing new details about a 4-year-old boy's death at a Hillsborough child care center in August. (Courtesy of Shayna Robins)

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Authorities are releasing new details about a 4-year-old boy's death at a Hillsborough child care center in August.

On Aug. 14, at around 12:06 p.m., Hillsborough Township Police were called to the Blooming Hearts Child Development Center at 313 Triangle Road in Hillsborough for a medical incident involving a child, said Somerset County Prosecutor's Office(SCPO) Spokesperson Kathryn Kutepow.

The child, identified as a four-year-old boy, was taken to a local hospital, where he subsequently died.

Find out what's happening in Hillsboroughfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The investigation remains active and ongoing. No further information is available for release at this time, said Kutepow.

A Mother's Plea For Answers

Find out what's happening in Hillsboroughfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The boy was identified as Yasmir to Patch by his mother , Shanya Robins.

The death first came to light on Tuesday when Robins shared a social media post saying she had stayed quiet publicly about what happened, but decided it is time to speak.

She claims on Aug. 14 she got a phone call telling her that her son was unresponsive.

She said that when she arrived at the daycare, she found Yasmir "still sitting in a chair, limp and not breathing."

"I immediately began trying to help my child and told staff to call 911," Robins said. "That is something I will have to live with for the rest of my life."

Robins also said she has cooperated with investigations, provided information when asked and continued waiting for answers.

"What I am struggling to understand is why this daycare is currently still listed as a licensed child-care center while I am still waiting for answers and final findings regarding what happened to my child," Robins said.

She also called for "transparency and accountability" from the agencies responsible for protecting children in New Jersey.

"Was every required emergency procedure followed? Why did I arrive to find my child in the condition that I did? What has the investigation determined? And what actions, if any, will be taken?" asked Robins.

Robins said she is not asking anyone to target the center or its employees.

"I am not asking anyone to harass, threaten, or attack this daycare or its employees," she said. "I am simply a mother who lost her child and refuses to stop asking questions about what happened to him."

Robins asked the public to continue to share her son's story in hopes of finding answers.

A request for comment from Blooming Hearts Child Development Center was not returned to Patch.

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