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Daycare Owner Guilty in Toddler Drowning Tragedy
25 Mar
Summary
- Co-owner found guilty in the 2023 drowning deaths of two toddlers.
- Toddlers drowned after slipping through a propped-open pool gate.
- One toddler survived, while the other co-owner pleaded guilty earlier.
A jury has convicted the co-owner of Happy Happy Daycare in San Jose for the 2023 drowning deaths of two toddlers. The mother-daughter duo faced felony child endangerment and misdemeanor charges.
In October 2023, two 1-year-olds, Payton Cobb and Lilian Hannan, drowned after they reportedly slipped through a propped-open gate separating a play area from a swimming pool at the home-based daycare. One toddler survived the tragic incident.
The daughter, Nina Fathizadeh, pleaded guilty in February and faces over 20 years in prison. Her mother, Shahin Gheblehshenas, maintained her innocence and went to trial, resulting in Tuesday's guilty verdict. Prosecutors stated the defendants failed in their primary duty to ensure the children's safety.
