The two women who were charged after the death of three-month-old Teagan Sample at an illegal day care center in Bristow have waived their right to a preliminary hearing on five counts each of felony child endangerment, which will move the case forward to a grand jury.
Yolanda Larin, 50, and Mirna Mendez, 42, appeared in Prince William Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court on Wednesday morning.
While an autopsy revealed no trauma to the infant who died under the care of the two women who were running the unlicensed day care facility at 13200 Sapphire Ridge Place, Larin reportedly noticed "a small amount of saliva coming out of the corner of Teagan Sample's mouth.” Furthermore, police said Larin noticed the baby was turning blue, so she called 911. The infant was taken to the hospital where medical staff pronounced her dead.
According to the warrant, police seized a number of items related to the investigation from the private residence that served as the day care center.
Police charged Larin and Mendez with five counts of child endangerment while operating an unlicensed day care facility. Larin and Mendez have only been charged in reference to the day care operation. No charges have been filed in the child's death.
Police reported that 23 children, whose ages ranged from newborn to four years old, were at the residence when police arrived to investigate the death. Five children were less than 12 months old.
The unlicensed day dacare operation was shutdown in March by Child Protective Services and Code Enforcement, who assisted police in the investigation.
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