Family of Toddler Who Choked at a Montessori School Considering Legal Options

The family of an Oceanside toddler who died two months ago after chocking on a pushpin is assessing its legal options against an Oceanside Montessori school.

Tyler Howell, 3, of Oceanside, died of asphyxiation after the Aug. 8 incident at the , 3525 Cannon Rd.

The school was fined by the California Department of Social Services and an appeal by the school was denied.

The school failed to maintain an appropriate environment for young children, the Howell family’s attorney, David S. Casey, Jr., said in a release.

“Pushpins are a known hazard of children and should not have been accessible to toddlers,” he said. “This has been a devastating tragedy for the Howell family. Their hope is that every preschool in the country will take note, and ban potentially lethal pushpins on their premises so that a tragedy similar to Tyler’s will not occur again.”

The state citation shows the school immediately removed all pushpins from the school. In addition, the facility ensured state officials that direct visual supervision will be a standard protocol. The school’s monthly staff meetings will start out with 20 minutes devoted to children’s safety.

Montessori School of Oceanside declined to comment because the matter is still under investigation.    

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