A Brooklyn Center in-home daycare operator has been charged with second-degree manslaughter in the death of a 7-month-old last summer after reports of a baby who was not breathing and unresponsive in a swing, according to a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County on Tuesday.
Court documents accuse 58-year-old Narcisa De Jesus Morales Deleg of child neglect or endangerment after medical experts say that she could’ve prevented the child’s death.
On June 30, 2025, the child’s mother told investigators that she usually called the defendant to bring the child outside, but on the day of the incident, Morales Deleg did not answer the phone. The defendant later came outside holding the infant, who was not breathing, according to police.
According to the complaint, the victim’s mother said she had to tell Morales Deleg to call 911 for help and that Morales Deleg questioned why she should do so.
After the incident, Morales Deleg allegedly told investigators that she gave the child a bottle and left the room, returning to find the infant slumped over in a swing, and estimated with investigators that she wasn’t watching the child for 5-10 minutes.
According to 911 records, an emergency call was made 23 minutes after the infant was found unresponsive, and a review of Morales Deleg’s phone showed her messaging family members and parents of other children she was watching during much of that time.
The child ended up dying the hospital weeks later on July 15, and after an investigation, doctors found signs of brain damage from a lack of oxygen.
According to the criminal complaint, a child abuse pediatrician involved in the child’s care told investigators that she was concerned that the infant suffered from choking or positional asphyxia, which caused the child to stop breathing.
Morales Deleg faces one count of second-degree manslaughter. If convicted, she could be sentenced up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. Court records indicate she is not currently in jail and has been issued a summons to appear in court.
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