A nursery employee wept in court before receiving a sentence of three years and four months for the death of a 14-month-old child who suffocated while being put to sleep in a dangerous manner. The incident occurred at Fairytales Day Nursery in Dudley. The toddler, Noah Sibanda, tragically passed away on December 9, 2022, after being wrapped tightly in a sleeping bag and restrained by the worker, Kimberley Cookson.
Surveillance footage captured the toddler lying face down in the bag with a blanket over his head as Cookson restrained him with her leg. Despite Noah’s struggles, Cookson continued to restrict his movements until he eventually stopped moving.
The court heard that the nursery had admitted to corporate manslaughter and a health and safety offense. The owner, Deborah Latewood, was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years. The sleeping bag used on Noah was described as a “season three sleeping pod,” designed for outdoor camping in cooler weather, making it unsuitable for indoor daytime use.
Noah’s parents had chosen the nursery based on its positive ratings, unaware of the dangers present. Noah’s mother, Masi Sibanda, expressed deep regret and sorrow, emphasizing the pain of losing her child to negligence. His father, Thulani Sibanda, shared how the loss had profoundly impacted his mental health and daily life.
Cookson, in a statement to the court, expressed remorse and acknowledged her responsibility in the tragedy. The defense highlighted systemic failures within the nursery and emphasized the need for better training and supervision of staff. Fairytales Ltd, the nursery company, publicly expressed remorse and acknowledged the trust that Noah’s family had placed in them.
The tragic incident has left a lasting impact on Noah’s family and highlighted the importance of ensuring children’s safety in childcare settings.