Local News
6-Year-Old Nonverbal Autistic Girl Winter Skyy Jones Dies After Being Left on Daycare Bus in Memphis
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A 6-year-old girl died Thursday after her family said she was allegedly left inside a daycare bus for hours after being transported from a Cordova daycare to Macon-Hall Elementary School.
The child was identified by her family as Winter Skyy Jones, a nonverbal autistic girl whose father, Bryan Jones, said she should have been taken off the bus when it arrived at the school.
According to her family, Winter was transported by a bus operated by Kid University, a daycare in the Memphis area. Her father said the bus was supposed to take her from the daycare to Macon-Hall Elementary and return her afterward.
Family members said Winter was never removed from the bus after it arrived at the school.
Her uncle, Christopher Jones, said the child was only discovered when employees returned to the bus later while preparing to pick up students from school.
“They never even made it into the school,” Christopher said, describing the family’s understanding of what happened.
Memphis police confirmed that officers responded at approximately 3:23 p.m. to an address on Walnut Knoll, where a female juvenile was found in need of medical assistance.
The girl was transported to a hospital in critical condition, where she was later pronounced dead.
Winter’s father said his daughter died after her body temperature reached approximately 109 degrees.
Authorities have not publicly released an official cause or manner of death, and the circumstances surrounding the child’s death remain under investigation.
Winter’s family described the tragedy as especially devastating because she was nonverbal and autistic.
Her uncle said Winter was unable to communicate that she had been left on the bus or call attention to her situation.
“She couldn’t advocate for herself,” Christopher said, emphasizing that the child could not simply tell someone she was still inside the vehicle.
Christopher, who is also the father of a nonverbal autistic child, said he could only imagine how frightening and dangerous the conditions inside the bus would have been.
On Thursday evening, police crime scene tape was visible across Walnut Knoll, where a small bus marked Kid University was parked outside the daycare.
A person who answered the telephone at the daycare reportedly declined to provide information and ended the call.
Memphis-Shelby County Schools confirmed that officials were aware of the incident and were looking into what happened.
The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services is also involved in the investigation into the 6-year-old’s death.
Shabnam Manhas, who works at a business across from Kid University, said she heard what sounded like screaming coming from the daycare Thursday.
Manhas said she saw a woman on the ground who appeared to be crying and was extremely distressed. She said people nearby attempted to determine what had happened and help the woman.
Parents with children enrolled at Kid University also expressed shock and sadness after learning about the incident.
Breanna Watts, whose child attends the daycare, said she was saddened by the death and expressed sympathy for Winter’s family.
Winter’s death comes amid renewed concerns about children being left unattended in daycare vehicles.
A similar tragedy occurred in Memphis in 2022, when an infant died after being left inside a hot vehicle outside a daycare. Another child died after being left in a daycare van in West Memphis in 2017.
The latest incident is now being investigated by multiple authorities.
Temperatures in Memphis were forecast to reach approximately 99 degrees Fahrenheit Thursday, raising additional concerns about the dangers of leaving children inside vehicles during extreme heat.
The investigation into Winter Skyy Jones’ death remains ongoing. Authorities have not announced any charges or publicly determined who may have been responsible for leaving the child on the bus.
Additional information is expected as investigators with Memphis police, the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services and other agencies continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Local News
Train Derails in Ferguson Involving Vehicles, Hazmat Team Called Over Ethyl Alcohol Rail Car
FERGUSON, Mo. — A train derailment involving vehicles prompted an emergency response in Ferguson on Ferguson Avenue, where authorities requested a hazardous materials team after determining that one of the train cars contained ethyl alcohol.
Emergency units were dispatched to 617 Ferguson Avenue after reports of the rail incident. Responders found a train that had derailed with vehicles involved.
Officials confirmed there was no reported entrapment. Crews were checking the scene for injuries and evaluating those involved in the incident.
A Hazmat response was requested because one rail car involved in the derailment was carrying ethyl alcohol. Emergency crews were assessing the rail car for any potential leak or hazardous condition and working to secure the area.
The presence of ethyl alcohol prompted additional safety precautions while responders examined the derailed train and surrounding vehicles.
At this time, authorities have not released details about possible injuries, the cause of the derailment or the extent of damage.
The investigation and emergency response remain ongoing in Ferguson, and officials are expected to provide additional information once the scene has been fully assessed.