Nursery Takes Responsibility for Corporate Manslaughter After Tragic Suffocation of 14-Month-Old Boy During Forced Nap

A TODDLER was suffocated to death by nursery staff while he was forced to take a nap.

The has pled guilty to corporate manslaughter after the 14-month-old died of asphyxiation.

Fairytales Nursery admitted one count of corporate manslaughterCredit: SWNS Noah was tightly wrapped in a sleeping bag with a blanket placed over his head and laid face downCredit: PA

Noah Sibanda was being cared for at Fairytales Nursery in Dudley, , when staff tried to get him to fall asleep by “physically restraining” him on December 9, 2022.

He was tightly wrapped in a sleeping bag, had a blanket placed over his head and was laid face down on a cushion while staff member Kimberley Cookson, 23, restrained him using her leg.

The horror was caught on CCTV, and after a “considerable duration”, it was noticed that Noah was not breathing, and emergency were called.

Ambulance crews rushed to the private nursery following reports he had gone into cardiac arrest but the tragic tot was pronounced dead in hospital.

Today, Fairytales Day Limited one count of corporate manslaughter and a Health and Safety at Work Act offence at Wolverhampton Crown .

Nursery practitioner Cookson previously pleaded guilty to gross negligence manslaughter at the same court.

Director and business owner Deborah Latewood, 55, also admitted a Health and Safety at Work Act offence on the basis she did not know children were being put down to sleep in this dangerous way.

Ofsted previously closed the nursery in April 2023.

Alex Johnson, senior specialist prosecutor within the Crown Prosecution Service’s special crime division, said: “This case has been deeply distressing and represents every parent’s worst nightmare whenever they leave their young child at a nursery.

“Noah Sibanda should have been safe in the care of professionals entrusted with his wellbeing.

“He lost his life as a result of reckless and dangerous sleeping practices which posed an obvious and serious risk of harm.

“The evidence in this case, including CCTV footage and expert medical findings, showed that Noah was placed to sleep in a way that severely restricted his ability to breathe and move.

Ofsted closed the nursery in April 2023Credit: SWNS

“The prosecution case was that these practices created a suffocating environment, from which a 14-month-old child, was clearly unable to escape.

“Fairytales Day Nursery Limited has now accepted criminal responsibility for the systemic failures that led to this tragedy, and Deborah Latewood has also acknowledged that the failings occurred under her management and oversight.

“Kimberley Cookson has also taken responsibility for her harmful actions.

“Nursery providers have a fundamental duty to protect the children in their care.

“This case underscores the devastating consequences of what happens when that duty is breached.

“Our thoughts remain with Noah’s family, who have endured an unimaginable loss.”

The defendants will be sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court on 16 April.

In a desperately sad tribute, Noah’s parents said in a statement: “Noah was a beautiful, happy and easy-going little boy and we miss him very much.”

Brave Masi, 31, said she and husband Thulani, 32, “would have been a really content family” of four.

She described Noah as a “handsome, beautiful, cute boy” who was very “lovable” and always smiling.

“I know parents are biased, but he was so beautiful,” she said.

“He was calm, very relaxed and quite chilled and unfazed by things. We would find him just chilling with his arm behind his head.

“He was very easy-going and he made it easy as a first-time parent.”