Dunwoody Daycare Owner Pleads Guilty To Murder, Child Abuse

DUNWOODY, GA — A Dunwoody home daycare owner was sentenced to 35 years Friday in connection with the Feb. 3, 2021, death of a 4 month old boy and the abuse of six other children, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston's office said in a news release.

According to the release, Amanda Hickey, 48, of the Little Lovey home daycare center, pleaded guilty on Sept. 22 to seven counts of first-degree cruelty to children, seven counts of reckless conduct, one count of second-degree cruelty to children and three counts of simple battery.

Hickey also entered Alford guilty pleas to second-degree murder and second-degree cruelty to children, according to the release.

She was accused of putting the 4 month old boy "on his stomach to sleep against recommended medical guidelines for safe infant sleep positions," the release stated. She was accused of then leaving the boy unattended for at least two hours, and he was later found unresponsive in the crib.

Hickey was accused of physically abusing six other children, ages 6 months to 16 months old.

According to the release, Hickey's daycare was licensed to serve six children, but investigators found the daycare was serving children nearly double the capacity.

DeKalb County Superior Court Chief Judge LaTisha Dear Jackson sentenced Hickey Friday to 30 years in confinement five years of probation. Upon release, conditions of her probation include that she may not have any contact with the victims or their families, she may not have any contact or work with any children under the age of 13 and may not gain financially from the case, the release said.