The day care owner accused by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office of concealing information in an investigation into a burned toddler has pleaded not guilty.
Minnie Dupree, 66, of Gainesville waived formal arraignment and pleaded not guilty through her attorney Graham McKinnon.
McKinnon previously told The Times that Dupree will “fight to clear her name.”
Dupree, Tara Miller, 40, of Gainesville and Eddye Pittmon, 55, of Talmo, were charged in a March 26 indictment in connection to burned 16-month-old child Damon Gaddis.
Dupree faces charges of influencing a witness, false statements and tampering with evidence.
The indictment alleges that Dupree told an employee to destroy a picture of Gaddis’ leg and told investigators that water in the day care’s infant room “did not get hot.”
Gaddis suffered second- and third-degree burns from hot water, according to authorities.
One-day safety camp open for registration
Parents on the lookout for summer camp activities with a safety kicker can sign up for the annual Camp Lifesavers through Hall County Fire Services.
The one-day free camp is organized through a partnership of the fire department and the Hall County Parks and Leisure Services.
“We try to keep it real active,” said Lt. Beverly Walker, the camp’s director.
Fire safety, water safety and animal safety are a few areas covered by the camp, which tries to do similar camp activities for the day.
“One year, they made dalmatian fire extinguishers out of coffee cans. Just regular camp stuff, but it’s safety-related,” Walker said.
The camp is intended for ages 6 to 11 and has two sessions on July 7 at North Hall Community Center and July 9 at Mulberry Creek Community Center. Both are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and space is limited.
Anyone looking for more information or the registration form can visit hallcountyfire.org or call 770-531-6838.
Fire station to hold school supply drive
To support the children of Martin Technology Academy of Math and Science in South Hall, Hall County Fire Station No. 5 will be collecting school supplies for the elementary school.
Requested items on the list include classroom staples such as pencils, erasers and crayons.
The station is located at 4187 Falcon Parkway in Flowery Branch.
The full list is available at mta.hallco.org/web/wp-content/uploads/MTA-Supply-List.pdf.
Nick Watson covers public safety issues for The Times. Share your thoughts, news tips and questions with him: