Child Care Advocacy:
Juan’s Law
Honoring Anthony DeJuan Boatwright • Protecting Children • Changing Legislation
Juan’s Law was birthed from tragedy but fueled by purpose.
Named in honor of Anthony DeJuan Boatwright, “Juan,” whose life was forever changed due to preventable harm in a child care setting, this advocacy initiative stands as a powerful movement for justice, safety, and accountability in child care facilities across America.
Led by Jacqueline Boatwright-Daus, Juan’s mother and a nationally recognized child safety advocate, Juan’s Law has driven awareness, legislative change, and improved safety standards for over two decades. Through unwavering commitment, this movement has transformed personal pain into public protection — ensuring that no parent experiences the heartbreak of inadequate child care oversight.
What Is Juan’s Law?
Juan’s Law is a child safety advocacy initiative focused on strengthening the standards, policies, and emergency preparedness requirements in childcare centers.
The mission is simple yet profound:
Protect children. Empower families. Hold facilities accountable.
Core Focus Areas
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Stricter childcare safety regulations
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Mandatory emergency response protocols
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Fire safety and burn prevention standards
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Staff training and accountability requirements
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Parental awareness and education
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Policy reform at local, state, and national levels
Juan’s Law serves as a blueprint to ensure that childcare facilities act with the highest standard of care — not convenience.
The Legacy of Anthony DeJuan Boatwright
At just 14 months old, Anthony DeJuan (“Juan”) suffered a devastating injury due to negligence in a childcare facility. Despite the tragedy that followed, his story has become a catalyst for change, inspiring reform and saving other children from similar harm.
Juan’s life continues to impact legislative change, training protocols, and the national understanding of what true child safety requires.
His legacy is not one of tragedy, but of transformation, advocacy, and hope.
A Mother’s Fight for Change
Jacqueline Boatwright-Daus has spent years advocating before legislators, speaking at conferences, appearing on national media platforms, and guiding families who face similar circumstances. Her work has helped reshape:
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State-level childcare facility regulations
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National awareness of childcare safety gaps
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Emergency readiness training standards
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Parental rights and transparency laws
Her strength and voice have turned a deeply personal crisis into a movement that supports and protects thousands of children.
The Mission Moving Forward
Through Juan’s Law, the goal is to create a world where:
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Parents feel confident leaving their children in care
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Providers prioritize safety over convenience
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Laws protect the vulnerable
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Tragedy is prevented, not responded to
This advocacy is ongoing, powerful, and rooted in love.
How You Can Support
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Participate in advocacy campaigns
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Share Juan’s story to raise awareness
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Support legislative efforts for stronger childcare safety laws
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Invite Jackie to speak at your organization or event
Together, we can continue the mission of protecting children and strengthening childcare accountability nationwide.
The History of Jackie’s Childcare Advocacy
Jackie’s childcare advocacy was not born from theory—it was forged in crisis, courage, and conviction.
In 2001, her life was forever altered when her son, Anthony DeJuan Boatwright, was found headfirst in a bucket of mop water at his child daycare center. What followed was not only a mother’s grief, but a mother’s awakening. As Jackie sought accountability, she uncovered a devastating truth: childcare centers in Georgia could be state-licensed yet not required to carry liability insurance. Parents, trusting the word “licensed,” were often unaware that if tragedy struck, there was no protection, no recourse, and no transparency.
Rather than accept the system as it was, Jackie challenged it.
With no organization behind her and no precedent to follow, she launched a one-woman crusade—meeting with legislators, educating parents, and refusing to be silenced. Her message was simple but uncompromising: parents deserve to know the insurance status of the people entrusted with their children’s lives.
Her perseverance paid off.
In 2004, the state of Georgia passed Juan’s Law, requiring childcare centers to disclose their liability insurance status to parents. Two years later, Virginia followed suit in 2006 with similar legislation. Jackie deemed these victories not symbolic, but practical—giving parents the power to make informed decisions before leaving their children in care.
Her advocacy soon reached the national stage.
Determined that no parent in America should remain in the dark, Jackie persuaded the United States Congress to introduce a federal version of the law: The Anthony DeJuan Boatwright Act. The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives twice—first in 2009 and again in 2012—an extraordinary achievement for a grassroots advocate driven by purpose rather than politics.
The nation took notice.
Jackie’s story and mission were carried by major media outlets including Associated Press, JET Magazine, Ebony Magazine, MONEY Magazine, and countless other television, radio, and print platforms. Her voice became a beacon for parents, policymakers, and childcare professionals alike.
In addition to her legislative work, Jackie wrote and self-published a deeply personal book about the ordeal titled Juan’s Story, which was carried nationally by Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and Walmart—further extending her message of awareness, accountability, and parental empowerment.
In 2016, Jackie was crowned Mrs. Georgia International, and she transformed the crown into a platform for continued service. During her reign, she partnered with the United States military and was invited to speak at the The Pentagon, sharing her insights on child safety, advocacy, and systemic accountability. She also traveled throughout Georgia reading to children in childcare centers—reinforcing that prevention begins with presence and care.
Her advocacy expanded beyond legislation into healing and prevention.
Jackie created the Blue Heart Award, honoring parents who have lost children to childcare-related accidents—ensuring their stories are seen, their children remembered, and their grief acknowledged with dignity. She also began visiting childcare centers directly, helping operators identify often-overlooked hazards that could place children at risk. Centers that successfully addressed these issues earned the Anthony DeJuan Boatwright Stamp of Approval—a symbol of accountability, transparency, and commitment to child safety.
Jackie’s childcare advocacy is not rooted in tragedy alone—it is anchored in leadership.
She did not allow loss to define her.
She allowed purpose to direct her.