A nursery accepts responsibility for causing death of toddler who was suffocated while being forced to sleep.

Tragedy struck on December 9, 2022 at Fairytales Day Nursery in Dudley, West Midlands, when 14-month-old Noah Sibanda tragically passed away. It was later revealed that the nursery had admitted to corporate manslaughter in connection with his death. CCTV footage showed that while trying to make him sleep, staff had tightly wrapped him in a sleeping bag, covered his head with a blanket, and placed him face down on a cushion.

Additionally, 23-year-old staff member Kimberley Cookson had even used her body weight to restrain him. It was only when they noticed that Noah was not breathing that emergency services were called, but sadly, it was too late. In the investigation that followed, Cookson pleaded guilty to gross negligence manslaughter for her actions in trying to make Noah sleep.

And on Wednesday, Fairytales Day Nursery Limited appeared in Wolverhampton Crown Court and also admitted to corporate manslaughter. The director and business owner, 55-year-old Deborah Latewood, also accepted a Health and Safety at Work Act offence, stating that while she may not have been aware of the dangerous sleeping practices, she should have been. Latewood, Cookson, and the now-defunct nursery are set to be sentenced on April 16.

Senior specialist prosecutor Alex Johnson from the CPS acknowledged the distress and heartache that this case has brought to Noah's family, stating that every parent's worst nightmare is leaving their child in the care of professionals only for something tragic to happen. He went on to explain that Noah should have been safe and that his death was a direct result of dangerous and reckless practices. The evidence presented, including CCTV footage and medical findings, showed that Noah was placed in a suffocating environment, making it impossible for him to breathe or move.

Johnson also emphasized the responsibility that nursery providers have in protecting the children in their care and the devastating consequences that can occur when that duty is neglected. He expressed his sympathy for Noah's family, who have experienced an unimaginable loss. The CPS urges people to add Metro as a preferred source on Google and to comment their thoughts on the tragic events that took place at Fairytales Day Nursery.