Trial still on in foster child death

Day care chief cleared; mom accused

CECIL ANGEL

A not guilty verdict in the case of a Canton day care director charged with failing to report suspected abuse of a 2-year-old probably won't affect the murder trial of a foster care mother in the toddler's death, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office said Thursday.

On Wednesday, a district court jury found Jacqueline Hadwin, the director of the Childtime Learning Center, not guilty in connection with injuries to Allison Newman.

Hadwin, 37, of Westland, was tried in 35th District Court in Plymouth on the misdemeanor charge.

The jury took an hour and 25 minutes to return the verdict, one of her attorneys said.

On Sept. 22, 2006, Allison died of injuries that police say were caused by foster mother Carol Ann Poole, who has been charged with felony murder, involuntary manslaughter and first-degree child abuse.

Poole is to go on trial Jan. 7 in Wayne County Circuit Court before Judge Ulysses Boykin.

Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Maria Miller said Thursday that the acquittal of Hadwin has no impact on the case against Poole.

"The Hadwin case was predicated on the defendant's failure to report signs of abuse on the now deceased child," Miller said. "The Carol Poole case is predicated on the fact that she caused the death of the child.

Assistant Prosecutor Lora Weingarden said she was disappointed with the verdict but it was important to prosecute Hadwin to educate the public that, under state law, people in certain professions, including child care providers, are required to report suspected child abuse.

"The consequences of not reporting could be tragic," Weingarden said.

One of Hadwin's defense attorneys, Todd Flood, said: "I think the truth was ultimately found out and that Allison Newman was not being abused."

Amy Popp, spokeswoman for Childtime, said Thursday in a written statement that "Everyone in the Childtime family was pleased to hear that Jacqueline Hadwin was acquitted of all charges against her....

"We are looking forward to re-opening ... in the next few months," Popp said.