TREDYFFRIN TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A Virginia woman has been arrested in connection with the death of a 3-year-old child in Chester County earlier this month, according to local authorities.
Imani Lewis, 28, of Richmond, Virginia, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and endangering the welfare of children after the child, whom she was caring for as a nanny, was found dead in a pond at Wilson Farm Park on September 2, 2024. Lewis was arrested on Friday by Tredyffrin Township Police and arraigned with bail set at $100,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 26.
Chester County District Attorney Christopher L. de Barrena-Sarobe called the incident “a sad and tragic case we all wish never happened.” Tredyffrin Police Chief Michael Beaty added, “This is a devastating death for the victim’s family. Our entire community has felt the effects of it.”
According to the criminal complaint, police were dispatched to Wilson Farm Park at around 6:49 p.m. on September 2, following a report of a missing 3-year-old child. The non-verbal child had been under Lewis’ supervision when she called 911 to report the disappearance. Officers soon located the child unresponsive in a stormwater retention pond near the park.
Emergency responders performed life-saving measures, but the child was pronounced dead. Investigators later determined that Lewis had been distracted by her cellphone, making calls and sending text messages while the child wandered off. Video surveillance confirmed that Lewis was using her phone and failed to adequately supervise the child at the time of the incident.
Lewis remains in custody as the investigation continues.