A Spring Valley woman has been arrested following an investigation into the tragic death of a six-month-old infant at a residence on White Street last month. On January 22, 2026, at approximately 4:39 p.m., the Spring Valley Police Department responded to a report of an unresponsive infant at 18 White Street. Officers arrived within minutes and began lifesaving measures before the child was transported to a local hospital, where the infant was later pronounced deceased. The original report was first published by Monsey Scoop here.
Authorities said eight additional children were located inside the home and appeared to be in good health. Child Protective Services and the Rockland County Building Department responded to the scene as part of the investigation. Detectives later determined that 47-year-old Maria L. Nava-Nava was operating an unlicensed daycare out of the residence. While investigators found no evidence that her actions directly contributed to the infant’s death, it was determined that she moved several children between the ages of 2 and 8 into a garage that had been converted into a room and left them unattended for a period of time while police were on scene.
On February 18, 2026, Nava-Nava was arrested and charged with seven counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A misdemeanor. She was arraigned in Spring Valley Justice Court and released on her own recognizance. The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact the Spring Valley Police Department at 845-356-7400 or email tips@villagespringvalley.org.
