A Rutland woman has been arrested for manslaughter after an infant was found dead at her childcare facility.
Police arrested Stacey Vaillancourt, 53, of Rutland, Monday after 6-month-old Harper Rose Briar of Pittsford was found dead in her care Jan. 24.
Toxicology testing determined that Harper Briar had high concentrations of diphenhydramine in her body, police said. Diphenhydramine is the active, sedating ingredient in over-the-counter antihistamines.
The autopsy report noted that diphenhydramine is not to be used on infants absent an order from a physician. Investigators determined there was no physician order regarding diphenhydramine for Harper Briar. Detectives also concluded that Vaillancourt was the sole person to provide care and supervision to Harper Briar preceding her death on Jan. 24, which was Harper’s third day attending Vaillancourt’s day care facility.
Vaillancourt pleaded not guilty to the charge in court on Monday afternoon.