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Court hearing held for unlicensed Virginia Beach daycare owner accused in infant’s death

Posted at 10:23 AM, Dec 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-15 18:14:36-05

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - A Virginia Beach woman charged with child neglect and abuse after an infant died at an unlicensed day care she ran out of her home appeared in court Thursday.

Marlene Rice

Marlene Rice

Marlene Rice, 48, was arrested in August after the 4-month-old girl died. Rice called 911 that day after the baby was found not breathing. Paramedics attempted to resuscitate the baby but were unsuccessful.

Court documents say there were 17 children at Rice's daycare. While unlicensed day cares are not illegal in Virginia, there are rules and regulations regarding the number of children allowed to be in a person's care.

Rice was granted a $25,000 bond shortly after her arrest.

Four witnesses were called Thursday including the mother of the baby who died and a Social Services worker. The Social Services employee said Rice had been investigated in 2005 for having too many children under her care.

The judge found probable cause for Rice to face trial.

Her case will be heard before a Grand Jury.

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Woman arrested after infant dies at unlicensed Virginia Beach daycare