Mom Claims Toddler Caught Contagious Disease at City-Run Daycare

Concerns have arisen in Maricopa as a local mother alleges her toddler contracted hand, foot, and mouth disease at ChildWatch daycare located in the Copper Sky Multigenerational Center.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a contagious viral infection prevalent among children, often leading to sores in the mouth and rashes on the hands and feet. It is typically caused by coxsackievirus.

City spokesperson Quinn Konold stated that no official illness report has been filed. “However, we acknowledge the potential for such occurrences in group settings like ours,” Konold explained. Daily sterilization protocols and patron advisories aim to minimize risk.

Pinal County Health officials have yet to confirm any additional cases of the disease in the vicinity.

Rachell Navarro, a resident of Santa Rosa Crossing, remains convinced her daughter was exposed at ChildWatch. “My daughter doesn’t attend any daycare regularly. The only place she goes is ChildWatch when I go to the gym,” Navarro said through an interpreter. Her daughter’s pediatrician linked the infection to this venue.

The Mayo Clinic describes the disease as mild but painful for young children, causing rashes and sores.

Navarro last used ChildWatch services from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday. Her concerns intensified when her daughter developed a rash, prompting a visit to Exceptional Healthcare emergency room in Maricopa.

Navarro advises parents to maintain hygiene by washing hands when entering or leaving childcare facilities. “If your child isn’t feeling well, it’s best to stay home and prevent spreading the disease,” she urged.

Discussion about the case began on the Spanish-speaking Facebook group, Mexicanas in Maricopa, and spread to another local group, The Real City of Maricopa. KimLena Webster, a local daycare operator, shared the incident to alert other parents. “If your child recently attended Copper Sky Childwatch, look for symptoms and act quickly,” she advised.

ChildWatch offers drop-in childcare for 18 months to 7-year-olds at Copper Sky. Their rules mandate sending home children with a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or contagious rash. Affected children must also be symptom-free for 24 hours or have a doctor’s note before returning.

There is no specific treatment for hand, foot, and mouth disease. Frequent handwashing and avoiding close contact with infected individuals are recommended preventive measures.

Symptoms can include fever, sore throat, painful sores in the mouth, and rashes on the hands and feet. Infected individuals remain most contagious during the first week but can spread the virus for weeks after symptoms fade, according to the Mayo Clinic.