PLEASANT GROVE, Texas – Texas authorities recently revealed that a background check performed on Blynithia Washington, a day care owner charged in connection with the death of four-year-old Jacob Fox of Dallas, should have exposed a slew of criminal convictions.

The child and several others were left unattended by Washington at a local playground on July 20 while she ran an errand. Jacob was pronounced dead from heatstroke about 45 minutes after he was discovered, unconscious and not breathing under a tube slide.

Prompted by the incident, a thorough investigation into Washington’s background revealed to investigators that she had used an alias and fake Social Security number to obtain her childcare license in 2000. The convictions, dating back more than 15 years, under several different names, included aggravated assault. This alone should have prevented Washington from operating or even being employed at her own day care center, Dream House Learning Center. According to officials at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, individuals with assault convictions are prohibited from working at day-care centers. Washington’s other offenses included several misdemeanors and theft charges.

Although she relinquished her license shortly after the incident, Washington still faces a second-degree felony and the possibility of 20 years in prison.

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