San Jose Daycare Owner Pleads Guilty in 2023 Toddler Drowning Deaths
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Nina Fathizadeh, the co-owner of Happy Happy Daycare in San Jose, pleaded guilty to 10 felony counts of child endangerment on February 23, 2026, in connection with the October 2, 2023, deaths of two toddlers who drowned in an unsupervised backyard pool East Bay Times. A third child survived the incident.
Details of the Plea and Charges
Fathizadeh, 43, admitted guilt to three felony child endangerment counts related to the deaths of 16-month-aged Lilian Hanan of San Jose and 18-month-old Payton Cobb of Hollister NBC Bay Area. She also pleaded guilty to seven additional felony child endangerment counts stemming from a separate incident involving the unsafe transportation of seven children in a vehicle without proper child restraints East Bay Times.
Ongoing Case of Co-Defendant
Shahin Gheblehshenas, 67, Fathizadeh’s mother and co-owner of Happy Happy Daycare, remains charged in the case and is proceeding toward a jury trial ABC7 News. The drownings occurred at the Fleetwood Drive residence, which served as the daycare facility.
Circumstances of the Drowning
Investigators determined that Fathizadeh was the sole caregiver present at the home daycare on the morning of the drownings, as her mother was reportedly at a doctor’s appointment and another caregiver had called in sick NBC Bay Area. The investigation revealed that Fathizadeh left the children unattended in the backyard while she was inside cooking NBC Bay Area.
The pool’s safety gate was found propped open on the day of the incident, and prosecutors allege that both defendants were aware that Gheblehshenas’ husband sometimes opened the gate to water plants and would forget to close it East Bay Times. Fathizadeh reportedly had a view of the open gate when she allowed the children into the backyard but did not secure it before returning inside.
Aftermath and Legal Action
Fathizadeh faces a potential prison sentence of up to 23 years NBC Bay Area. The daycare’s license was suspended following the incident. The parents of the two toddlers filed a wrongful death lawsuit against both Fathizadeh and Gheblehshenas in August, alleging negligence East Bay Times, but the litigation is currently on hold pending the outcome of the criminal case.
Fathizadeh’s sentencing is scheduled for May 8, 2026 East Bay Times.