Kansas City News Blog

Jeanette L. Lawrence

When Johnson County prosecutors charged her in the April 2009 death of a child at the daycare she ran out of her Olathe home, Jeanette L. Lawrence was writing a book about how to run a daycare.

Prosecutors have charged Lawrence with involuntary manslaughter and aggravated child endangerment in the death of 18-month-old Ava Patrick.

Authorities believed the girl pushed a chair to a fence separating toddlers and babies at the daycare, stood on the chair and then fell, getting her neck stuck between the fence slats and strangling to death. A complaint filed with the state accuses Lawrence of operating a daycare with more children than her license allowed. KMBC Channel 9 cited state records that showed that Lawrence was caring for 14 children -- when she should only have been caring for six -- at the time of Ava's death. Fox 4 reported that Lawrence was operating on a suspended license.

Meanwhile, Amazon.com lists a recently released book titled Your Child's Daycare: Everything you need to know from start to finish by Jeanette Lawrence. A paperback copy will set you back $18.99.

Lawrence's attorney, John Gerstle, says he was aware that his client was writing a book about daycare, but he wasn't certain the book on Amazon.com was the one Lawrence was writing.

The Pitch tried to reach Lawrence by phone, but her number has been disconnected.

Amazon's product description calls the book "a one of a kind comprehensive guide for parents" who are considering putting their children in daycare. The description also claims the book will educate parents on the "laws and regulations to maintaining their chosen daycare."

The description concludes: "The purpose of this book is to provide parents with the knowledge and power to insure they choose a quality daycare ran by a trained professional that will provide a safe and nurturing environment."

The "about the author" section says:

Jeanette Lawrence is a freelance writer and child educator who has worked in the child care industry for the past 34 years. Having operated her own childcare center for 26 years she became aware of the issues that parent face in choosing the proper childcare for their children. Pulling upon her personal experience and extensive research, Jeanette addresses these issues in a no nonsense, easy to understand resource to help parents make one of the most difficult decisions of their child's life.

So far, the book has received two five-star reviews.