In a quiet West Nashville apartment, a day that began with the trusting drop-off of a three-month-old baby boy would end in a heart-wrenching tragedy. The infant, a male, was in the care of 51-year-old Anne C. Jordan, who operated an unlicensed daycare out of her residence on Old Hickory Boulevard. For the baby's parents, it was his very first day under Jordan's supervision, a temporary arrangement until a spot at a licensed facility became available. But the day would unravel into a nightmare when the baby's mother arrived to pick him up and was met with an unnervingly silent and locked door.
After some time, another parent arrived and together they managed to gain entry into the apartment, only to find a scene of disarray and neglect. Six other children, all under the age of 16 months, were discovered unattended. The three-month-old boy was found lifeless. The frantic parents immediately called for help, but it was too late. The infant was pronounced dead, and the other children, though physically unharmed, were left in a state of distress.
In the chaotic aftermath, Anne Jordan was nowhere to be found. The investigation into the infant's death quickly revealed a disturbing turn of events. Jordan had reportedly found the baby unconscious earlier and, after a failed attempt at CPR, fled the scene. Her abandoned car was later discovered at Harpeth River State Park, and hikers in the area found Jordan with what appeared to be self-inflicted injuries. Her emotional state was described as distraught, and she reportedly told investigators that she 'broke' and felt she could no longer live after finding the child unresponsive.
Following the incident, Anne C. Jordan was arrested and faced six counts of child neglect. During a court hearing, a detective testified that the autopsy and toxicology reports for the infant were inconclusive, and the cause of death remained undetermined. Jordan's phone records indicated she had left the apartment about an hour and ten minutes before the parents discovered the children. The case was eventually sent to a grand jury to determine if additional charges would be filed. The tragic death of the infant boy served as a grim reminder of the potential dangers of unlicensed childcare facilities and left a family grappling with an unimaginable loss.
