Nashville, TN – A Nashville woman accused of operating an unlicensed daycare where a 6-month-old girl died last year has been indicted on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated child neglect.
According to police, officers responded to a call at an apartment on Welshwood Drive on February 8, 2024, where they found an unresponsive infant, Madison Alberto-Cato. The child’s mother discovered the daycare operator, Lourdes Hernandez, 35, allegedly attempting to revive the girl by putting water on her head.
Emergency responders transported Madison to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Authorities said nine other children under age 3 were present at the apartment.
An autopsy revealed the infant had toxic levels of diphenhydramine, an antihistamine commonly found in over-the-counter medications like Benadryl. The dosage reportedly measured nearly three times the amount typically considered safe for adults.
Hernandez was arrested after relocating to Zermatt Avenue. Several children were allegedly found at that location as well. She now faces multiple charges, including operating a childcare agency without a license.
Bond is set at $150,000. Hernandez is scheduled to appear before a Criminal Court judge on April 2.
