Grandmother doesn't blame driver for grandbaby's daycare van death

One year later, the spot that once served as a makeshift memorial for Hail Brockington is riddled with trash.

The daycare where she once played now has a new name.  And Haile's family continues to grieve.

"We're still hurting, we're still carrying that burden," said Haile's grandmother Cathy White-Hamilton in an exclusive interview with NewsChannel 5.

One year later, she recalls what made her grandbaby sparkle.

"Her smile, she was a happy go luck kid. Very humble."

On August 5, 2010 Haile's memorable smile faded. The 2 1/2 year old was left in the backseat of a Katie's Kids van on her way to daycare.

Haile's young body was found 6 hours later. Investigators described her as hot, lifeless and still strapped in the backseat of the van on her way to school.

Haile's death forced the daycare on SW 3rd Avenue in Delray Beach to shut down. 

One year later, its owner Kathryn Muhammad has closed her three other schools.  She continues to struggle financially and emotionally.

"It hurts a lot. I always wanted to protect children. I just have a hard time with it," she said.

One year later, Haile's Bill, which would require all daycare vans be equipped with special kiddie alarms, has yet to become state law.  However, the proposal is about to become a new rule in Palm Beach County.

"No child should have to be put in a van that doesn't have that safeguard.  It's the least we can do for our children," said Democratic State Senator Maria Sachs, who introduced the legislation this past session.

Van driver Amanda Inman, and former daycare director Petra Rodriguez, both facing criminal charges for Haile's death, have yet to stand trial. 

One year later, Haile's grandmother doesn't want to see either of them go to jail.

"It was a tragic mistake, it caused a a lot of hurt and loss of a family member but it was human error," she said.

Haile's family plans on holding a candlelight vigil Friday night at their home in Delray Beach.  Meanwhile, the former owner of Katie's Kids, Kathryn Muhammad, has partnered up with a program called See Our Future.  The program will plant one thousand trees in deforested areas nationwide, in honor of Haile.