Police have upgraded the charges against a Mississauga woman to second-degree murder after a 14-month-old baby died after being in her care.
Duy-An Nguyen had been rushed to Sick Kids Hospital after she was allegedly shaken at April Luckese’s home daycare on Wednesday night. The infant was placed on life support after undergoing surgery.
Originally, Luckese, 35, had been arrested and charged with aggravated assault, and released on bail. But after Duy-An died on Friday, officers arrested Luckese again and charged her with murder.
The distraught Nguyen family told CityNews they found April’s Daycare online and it was only the toddler’s second day there.
A listing on godaycare.com says Luckese is the mother of two boys offering child care in a “safe, loving and nurturing home environment.” In it, she also claims to have more than 15 years’ experience working with kids. Her daycare, located on Asta Drive, near Cawthra Road and the QEW, has been shut down temporarily.
Luckese’s distant cousin confirmed the accused has years of experience and also worked as a nanny.
“I never found any issues at all with her child care,” said Janice Luckese. “There’s going to be a lot of surprised people because this is not something that you expect.”
A bail hearing is scheduled for Saturday in Brampton.
Anyone with information should call police at (905) 453-2121, ext. 3205 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or visit www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.