Omaha Designates November for Child Safety Awareness
The city aims to improve vehicle safety protocols for local children following a past daycare tragedy.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Child Care
The Omaha City Council has designated November as Ra'Miyah Worthington and Child Safety Month. The proclamation honors the memory of 1-year-old Ra'Miyah Worthington, who died three years ago after being left in a daycare van.
Why it matters
This official designation serves as a community-wide reminder to strictly enforce safety protocols for loading and unloading children at childcare facilities. It aims to prevent future tragedies by highlighting the critical importance of vehicle headcounts and safety checks.
The city council's action follows the legal sentencing of the daycare driver to four years of probation. The effectiveness of such public awareness measures in reducing incidents of children being left in vehicles remains an area of ongoing public safety focus.
The players
Ra'Miyah Worthington
A 1-year-old child whose death in a daycare van sparked local safety initiatives.
LaVonya Goodwin
The Omaha City Councilwoman who introduced the measure to designate the safety month.
Ryan Williams
The daycare van driver who received a four-year probation sentence.
The details
The designation of this month prompts childcare providers to prioritize rigorous vehicle check protocols. By mandate and best practice, this includes verifying every child is accounted for through consistent headcounts during both loading and unloading processes. These standardized procedures are essential safeguards against the oversight of leaving a child behind in a vehicle.
Timeline
Three years ago, Ra'Miyah Worthington died after being left in a daycare van.
The Omaha City Council designated November as Ra'Miyah Worthington and Child Safety Month.
Health Landscape
This proclamation follows a tragic precedent, marking a departure from reactive measures toward proactive community-wide safety awareness. It aligns with broader public health efforts to integrate standardized vehicle oversight into standard childcare operating procedures.
Parents and guardians can use this month to proactively ask daycare providers about their specific vehicle safety protocols. Always confirm that your provider maintains strict headcount and inspection procedures for any transportation they offer.
The takeaway
Child safety rests on the consistent application of vehicle inspection routines. Ask your childcare provider to verify how they manage headcounts during transitions to ensure no child is ever overlooked.
Further reading
For resources on selecting safe providers, visit our Child Care section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KMTV 3 News Now Omaha.
