Baby dies after being given cough syrup at crowded illegal day care, FL cops say

A woman accused of running an illegal day care was responsible for over a dozen children in her one-bedroom apartment the day a 9-month-old baby went to sleep and never woke up, Florida authorities said.

Desiree Rentz, 31, is charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child and misrepresentation of a childcare license resulting in death nearly a year after a baby boy died under her watch, the St. Petersburg Police Department announced June 25.

Investigators said they learned Rentz had been portraying herself as a licensed day care operator. Meanwhile, licenses hung for display on her wall were for a temporary foster care with a capacity of one, police said.

The afternoon of July 25, first responders got a call about a baby at a day care who wouldn’t wake up from his nap, police said. Officers reported finding over a dozen children attending Rentz’s day care that day.

“The Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy and confirmed that the baby was given cough syrup not recommended for children under age four, without the parents’ knowledge or consent,” police said.

U.S. Marshals helped take her into custody.

St. Petersburg is part of the Tampa Bay area.

This story was originally published June 25, 2025 at 4:58 PM with the headline "Baby dies after being given cough syrup at crowded illegal day care, FL cops say."