Advocates push for safety measures for autistic children as a 6-year-old who was left on a daycare bus is laid to rest.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Family, friends, and coworkers gathered to remember 6-year-old Winter Sky Jones, an autistic, non-speaking child whose death after being left on a daycare bus has sparked questions about child safety, caregiver responsibility, and accountability.
Winter was supposed to be transported from Kid University in Cordova to Macon-Hall Elementary School on August 13. According to information provided by the Tennessee Department of Human Services, Winter did not get off the bus and was later found inside the vehicle after it returned to the daycare.
She was taken to the hospital but died.
The Tennessee Department of Human Services conducted a fatality inspection the following day. The inspection identified several areas of noncompliance involving the daycare’s transportation procedures.
The State found issues involving required vehicle monitoring equipment, transportation training documentation, vehicle inspection procedures, transportation logs, and the required walk-through to make sure all children had exited the vehicle.
Following the investigation, Kid University surrendered its childcare license and permanently closed. The Tennessee Department of Human Services has said the investigation remains part of the broader review into Winter’s death.
No criminal charges had been announced at the time of the funeral.
At Winter’s funeral, the focus was not only on what happened, but on remembering who she was.
Trina Gray, one of Winter’s mother’s coworkers, said the service was emotional but also showed the family how much support surrounds them.
“The funeral was beautiful. It was uplifting. I cried. It was a sad moment, but I just thank God for the support of all our other coworkers who came,” Gray said.
For Memphis rapper and autism advocate Kia Shine, Winter’s story is especially personal. Shine is also the father of an autistic child. He became emotional while talking about Winter and said he could only imagine the pain her parents are experiencing.
“As a father who has a profoundly autistic son, Jamison, my heart goes out to the family, the mom and dad. I can only imagine what it would feel like if I lost my special boy,” Shine said.
Shine says Winter’s death should lead to more conversations about how children with autism and other developmental differences are protected. He says that includes taking a closer look at the people hired to care for children.
“We got to advocate for safety for neurodivergent children,” he said. “We have to be more aware of who we’re hiring, who we’re putting in these caregiving positions, and make sure they have the integrity and accountability to care for our babies.”
Shine says his nonprofit plans to work with Winter’s family when they are ready to discuss additional safety measures and advocacy for neurodivergent children. He says Winter’s life should not be remembered only because of how it ended.
For Winter’s mother’s coworkers, supporting the family means being there long after the funeral. Gray said the City Court Clerk’s Office community wants the family to know they can call on them whenever they need support.
“On behalf of the City Court Clerk family and coworkers, we are here, no matter what,” she said. “If they would like to talk or need anything, we are here.”
Gray also urged people who transport or care for children to remain attentive and treat every child as if they were their own.
Winter’s death has brought renewed attention to the importance of transportation safety checks, particularly for children who may be unable to communicate that they have been left behind.
For Shine, faith is also part of how families can begin moving forward after an unimaginable loss.
“While you’re here, you need to make the moments count,” he said. “Make the time count. You got to find your purpose, you got to serve it.”
As Winter’s family continues to grieve, advocates say her life can become a reason to push for stronger safeguards for children who depend on adults to keep them safe.
ABC24 will continue following the investigation and any additional action involving Winter’s death.
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