Nursery Pleads Guilty to Corporate Manslaughter Over Toddler's Death
A private nursery in the West Midlands has admitted killing a 14-month-old toddler who was suffocated during nap time in a horrific incident that has shocked the community. Fairytales Day Nursery in Dudley pleaded guilty to a single charge of corporate manslaughter and a health and safety offence at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
Tragic Details of the Incident
Noah Sibanda's parents, Masi and Thulani Sibanda, believed their young son was being cared for safely at the nursery on 9 December 2022. Instead, the toddler was killed when he was pressed face down into a cushion with a blanket covering him and a leg placed on top of his head until he stopped breathing.
Nursery worker Kimberley Cookson, 23, had previously admitted gross negligence manslaughter after CCTV footage captured her actions. The court heard how Cookson laid Noah face down on a soft cushion while his head was wrapped in a sleeping bag with a blanket over him. When the child did not want to sleep, she pinned him down with her leg.
Systemic Failures and Management Responsibility
It was only after a considerable period of time that staff realized Noah was not breathing. Paramedics were called and he was rushed to Russells Hall Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Deborah Latewood, 55, the nursery's boss, also admitted a health and safety offence on the basis that she was unaware of what her staff were doing. However, she acknowledged that the failings occurred under her management and oversight.
Senior prosecutor Alex Johnson stated: '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.'
Family's Heartbreaking Tribute
Earlier this month, while celebrating her daughter's second birthday, Noah's mother paid tribute to her late son in the local Dudley News. Masi Sibanda, 31, and her husband Thulani, 32, welcomed the birth of their daughter just ten days after Noah's funeral.
She said: 'My daughter’s turned two and Noah never got to turn two. I think they would have been such a fun little duo together. I know parents are biased, but he was so beautiful. 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.'
Legal Proceedings and Nursery Closure
Following Noah's death, the nursery closed and remains shut to this date. Fairytales Day Nursery Limited has now accepted criminal responsibility for the systemic failures that led to this tragedy. Kimberley Cookson has also taken responsibility for her harmful actions.
The nursery, Deborah Latewood, and Kimberley Cookson will be sentenced on 16 April. Both Latewood and Cookson are currently on bail awaiting their sentencing hearing.
