SAN JOSE, California – A tragic incident took place at a San Jose child care facility where two children drowned on Monday. Records from the California Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing division revealed that the facility had previously been cited for staffing and monitoring violations, as well as concerns about the potential for children to access the backyard pool where the deaths occurred. The Happy Happy Home Daycare facility, operated by Nina Fathizadeh and Shanin Shenas, had drawn the attention of regulators during pre-licensing inspections in December 2020 and January 2021.
Inspectors identified gaps in the fence enclosing the pool and noted that it needed to be reduced. They also pointed out that the pool was accessible by four windows behind the fencing and identified gaps that needed to be addressed on either side of the pool-access gate. Despite these concerns, the operators were issued a license to operate the daycare center with a capacity of eight children in January 2021.
Since being licensed, the facility has been cited six times by state inspectors, including two serious Type A citations related to immediate health or safety concerns. The citations included issues with criminal record clearance of staff, exceeding the allowed number of infants being cared for, and failing to fulfill various training obligations and notifications to parents.
The tragic incident claimed the lives of 1-year-old Payton Cobb of Hollister and 1-year-old Lillian Hanan of San Jose. Another child was rescued from the pool with non-life-threatening injuries. The California Department of Social Services declined to comment on the incident, stating that it remains under investigation.
This heartbreaking event has sparked concerns over the safety and monitoring practices at child care facilities. The need for rigorous oversight and compliance with regulations to ensure the well-being of children under their care is now under scrutiny. The details of the investigation and any subsequent actions taken by regulatory agencies will be crucial in addressing these concerns and preventing similar tragedies in the future.