In 2007, when Demarion Pittman was just three years old, his daycare left him inside a hot van for several hours after a field trip. By the time Demarion was discovered his temperature was 117 degrees and his organs were failing. He was in a coma for two months and suffered severe brain damage, but, miraculously, he survived.
Demarion recently received approval to have four surgeries to regain functionality in his arms, the first of which is scheduled for February 2.
“He suffered neurological disorders, his arms stuck at his chest. He’s not able to move his arms. He’s blind,” said Tishawn Seaton, publicist and owner of Celestial Caring Enterprises. “They have to have four surgeries to get his arms to actually be able to move away from his chest, to where he can actually be able to hug his mother or siblings.”
Despite inquiring about insurance before Demarion Pittman was placed in the daycare center’s care, Demarion’s family learned the daycare center’s homeowner’s and vehicle insurance policy had a business exclusion. Since it was a home business, the Pittmans would not be provided with any assistance.
Demarion’s medical bills surpassed one million dollars in just a few weeks after the incident, and his family soon discovered the daycare center that neglected him had no liability insurance to help with the medical bills.
Edna Pittman, Demarion’s mother, contacted many legislators and with the help of Representative Mike Shelton, they were able to make sure no family had to go through that alone again. On April 22, 2008 Demarion’s Law was signed by Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry, requiring all daycare facilities carry a minimum of $200,000 in liability insurance.
Click here to donate to Demarion's GoFundMe account, which raises money for Demarion's surgeries.
Currently, there are more than 20 other states that do not require licensed daycare centers to carry insurance.