Hearing for Red Bay daycare owner charged in infant death continues

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) – Red Bay daycare owner Angelene Chamblee charged with the death of four-month-old Autumn Wells has had her preliminary court date postponed.

Court records obtained by News 19 in June 2022 indicate Wells’ cause of death was due to her being left face down on a “boppy” pillow for an extended period of time.

Franklin County District Attorney Jeffrey Barksdale told News 19 the courts have not decided whether Chamblee will stand trial individually or with the other four women defendants following Autumn Wells’ death.

Chamblee was charged with six counts of child custody law violations and two counts of forgery. The other four women charged in connection with Wells’ death are Hannah Grace Letson, Payton Nicole Gann, Teia Kay Gann and Madison Jade McCalpin.

Payton Nicole Gann and Madison McCalpin have both been charged with manslaughter and false reporting to law enforcement. Both Teia Kay Gann and Letson have been charged with witness tampering. Letson was also charged with tampering with physical evidence.

Barksdale later said he hoped the matter would be resolved quickly and that he wanted all five to be tried together.

“I believe it’s important for a jury in this case to hear the full story,” Barksdale said. “And I think, as much as possible, I think we want to try to present that whole story.”

Barksdale said the case will continue until May.