Manslaughter charges after toddler’s nursery death

A nursery practitioner has been charged with manslaughter after the death of a 14-month-old child at a nursery in Dudley.

Noah Sibanda died following an incident at Fairytales Day Nursery on Bourne Street, Dudley, on 9 December 2022.

Kimberley Cookson, 22, has been charged with one count of gross negligence manslaughter.  Fairytales Nursery has been charged with one count of corporate manslaughter and failing to comply with a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Deborah Latewood, 54, who was the director and business owner, has been charged with one count of failing to comply with general duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Fairytales Nursery is no longer in operation.  The defendants will appear at Dudley Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 13 May.

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

West Midlands Police said: “We have been working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service, Ofsted, and other agencies since Noah’s death. Four other people arrested as part of the investigation will face no further action.”

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