Nanny Charged In Death Of Main Line 3-Year-Old

Crime & Safety

Nanny Charged In Death Of Main Line 3-Year-Old Authorities said the nanny was distracted by talking and texting on her phone before, during, and after he went missing in Wilson Farm Park.

— The nanny of the child who died after being found in a Main Line pond on Labor Day has been charged in connection with the child's death.

Imani Lewis, 28, of Richmond, Virginia, is charged with involuntary manslaughter and endangering the welfare of children, the Chester County District Attorney's Office and the Tredyffrin Township Police Department said Friday.

The charges stem from the Sept. 1 incident in Wilson Farm Park.

Police were called to the park at about 6:49 p.m. for a report of a missing 3-year-old, non-verbal child. Lewis, who was working as the child's nanny, was the person who called 911.

Officers searched the area of the park, including a path leading to the stormwater retention pond, authorities said. Within minutes, officers found the child in the pond, unresponsive, according to the DA's office.

The officers tried to resuscitate the boy, who was taken to the King of Prussia Children's Hospital of Philadelphia campus, where he died.ld

Investigators later determined that the Lewis was talking on the phone and texting with people before, during, and after the child went missing, authorities said. According to the DA's office, video surveillance at the park showed the child playing on playsets while the Lewis was observantly using her cellphone and distracted from supervising the child.

"This is just a sad and tragic case we all wish never happened," Chester County District Attorney Christopher L. de Barrena-Sarobe said.

"This is a devastating death for the victim's family," Tredyffrin Police Chief Michael Beaty said. "Our entire community has felt the effects of it."

Magisterial District Judge Lauren Holt arraigned the Defendant and set bail at $100,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 26, 2024.