Daycare incident: Coroner releases 5-year-old's cause of death

LAPORTE, Ind. -- The 5-year-old who died after being found not breathing at Tricia's Playhouse and Daycare in Michigan City Monday died of asphyxiation, according to the coroner.

Five-year-old Amareon Williams' death has been ruled accidental.

The LaPorte County Coroner said a jump rope was tied to a piece of wood on the playground and he somehow hanged himself on it.

"It’s just a sad situation and my heart goes out to the parents of the children," said Petina Winston of Michigan City.

On Monday, family members of Williams said the boy was playing on the playground before he died.

Now parents are wondering if it could have been prevented.

“Certainly if I leave my children in the hands of a daycare I expect them to be watching them. I expect them to have employees who know how to do CPR, who are certified and to make sure that they are up on all of their licensing from the state as well," said Winston.

Winston has two children and one on the way. She says she has never used a daycare and only trusts her family to care for her kids, but Winston says not everyone has that luxury.

“You put your trust in people and you think that your children are taken care of and things happen, unfortunately, and no one is promised today or tomorrow," said Winston.

Winston says her heart goes out to the parents who lost their son at such a young age.

“It’s hard when you lose a child and so all you can do is just pray for the family and ask god to heal them," said Winston.

Officials with the Family and Social Services Administration say the daycare is under investigation for unqualified staff and inappropriate discipline.