A private nursery has admitted corporate manslaughter after 14-month-old Noah Sibanda suffocated when staff forced him to sleep. The tragic death has rocked the community and sparked urgent questions about childcare safety standards.
How Little Noah Died
Noah died on 9 December 2022 at Fairytales Day Nursery. Shocking CCTV footage showed staff holding him face down on a cushion, with a blanket draped over his face and a leg pinning him down. They tried to make him sleep despite his obvious distress.
Nursery worker Kimberley Cookson, 23, pleaded guilty to gross negligence manslaughter. She wrapped Noah tightly in a sleeping bag, covered his head with a blanket, lay him face down, and restrained him with her leg to keep him still.
After a while, staff noticed Noah wasn’t breathing. Emergency services rushed him to hospital but he was pronounced dead.
Nursery and Owner Also Charged
Fairytales Day Nursery Limited admitted corporate manslaughter and a Health and Safety offence at Wolverhampton Crown Court. Owner Debbie Latewood, 55, also pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety laws. She claimed ignorance of the dangerous sleep methods but accepted she should have known.
Prosecutor Speaks Out
“This case has been deeply distressing and represents every parent’s worst nightmare,” said Alex Johnson, Senior Specialist Prosecutor. “Noah should have been safe in professional care. Instead, reckless sleep practices created a deadly, suffocating environment.”
“CCTV and expert evidence showed Noah was placed to sleep in a way that severely restricted his breathing and movement. The nursery and management have accepted responsibility for this tragedy.”
“Nursery providers must protect children in their care. Failure to do so can have devastating consequences. Our thoughts remain with Noah’s family.”
Sentencing for the defendants is set for 16 April at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
