A private nursery in Dudley has admitted corporate manslaughter and health and safety offenses following the death of a 14-month-old toddler who suffocated during nap time. Fairytales Day Nursery, along with its owner Deborah Latewood, pleaded guilty at Wolverhampton Crown Court for failing to ensure safe sleeping practices.
Key Takeaways
A private nursery has admitted corporate manslaughter in the death of a 14-month-old toddler who was suffocated during nap time. The incident occurred at Fairytales Day Nursery in Dudley, where staff restrained Noah Sibanda face down on a cushion with a blanket over his head.
- Fairytales Day Nursery admitted corporate manslaughter and health and safety offenses
- Owner Deborah Latewood admitted failing to oversee safe practices
- Nurse Kimberley Cookson previously pleaded guilty to gross negligence manslaughter
- Noah Sibanda was restrained face down with a blanket over his head until he stopped breathing
- Sentencing is scheduled for April 16
Noah Sibanda died on December 9, 2022, after nursery worker Kimberley Cookson restrained him face down on a soft cushion. She wrapped his head in a sleeping bag with a blanket over it and placed her leg on top of his head until he stopped breathing. According to CCTV footage presented by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Noah was tightly wrapped and laid face down, severely restricting his ability to breathe and move.
Cookson had previously admitted gross negligence manslaughter. The nursery has been closed since the incident. The CPS described the case as "deeply distressing," emphasizing that Noah should have been safe in professional care but lost his life due to reckless practices. Senior prosecutor Alex Johnson highlighted that these systemic failures underscore the devastating consequences when nurseries breach their duty of care.
Noah's parents, Masi and Thulani Sibanda, paid tribute to their son earlier this month while celebrating their daughter's second birthday. They expressed their grief over Noah never reaching his second year. The nursery, Latewood, and Cookson are scheduled for sentencing on April 16.
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