A Georgia bailiff and retired fire lieutenant is facing criminal charges after the GBI says he sold CPR certifications he wasn’t qualified to issue to daycare and adult care facilities in Thomson. James Ed Lewis, 66, was charged with three counts of filing false documents and one count of theft by taking. As many as three daycares received the invalid cards, including First Methodist Church in Thomson. He bonded out of jail, retired immediately from his bailiff job, and the investigation remains active.
The owner of one affected center, Lil Bo Peep Learning Center, described the moment she found out in blunt terms: she was devastated, shocked, in disbelief. Her next thought was gratitude that no child needed CPR during the stretch when staff believed they were trained. Documents show Lewis holds a valid CPR certification himself, but not the instructor certification required to teach it and issue state-recognized cards.
For families here on the Suncoast, where pool days, hurricane season, and year-round outdoor living keep CPR readiness part of daily life, the takeaway is practical. Ask your daycare who taught the staff CPR class and how they verify that instructor’s credentials. Good centers will have that answer ready. Does your child’s daycare verify CPR instructor certifications before training day?
