Dudley Nursery Tragedy: Parents' Heartbreak Over Toddler's Preventable Death
A Dudley nursery that 'played Russian roulette with children's lives' resumed operations just three days after a toddler's tragic death, according to heartbroken parents. The shocking revelation emerged during sentencing proceedings at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday, April 17, 2026.
Gross Negligence Manslaughter Admission
Kimberley Cookson, 23, from Dudley, pleaded guilty to gross negligence manslaughter for her actions that led to 14-month-old Noah Sibanda's death on December 9, 2022. The court heard how Cookson restrained the toddler and placed him face down to sleep, then left him physically unchecked for two hours.
Fairytales Day Nursery Limited admitted corporate manslaughter and failing to comply with health and safety duties. Deborah Latewood, 55, the nursery owner from Dudley, also admitted failing to comply with general duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Nursery's Dangerous Practices
Prosecutor John Elvidge revealed that wrapping children and covering their heads were 'habitual practices by all members of staff in the baby room'. These dangerous methods were applied to infant children regardless of age or mobility level, often in the presence of other staff members.
The nursery's safe sleep policy, last updated in January 2022, 'wasn't operated or apparently understood by the staff in the baby room', according to court testimony.
Parents' Devastating Statements
In a powerful victim impact statement, Noah's mother Masi Sibanda expressed her shock that the nursery reopened the Monday following her son's death, 'operating as if everything was back to business'.
'They pretended the safety of children was their priority, while behind closed doors, they were playing Russian roulette with our children's lives,' she told the court.
Recalling the morning of December 9, 2022, Masi described feeling guilty about waking Noah because 'it was so cold outside and he looked so snug and warm'. She wished that had been her final memory, but instead she held him in hospital after being told nothing more could be done.
'Noah was cold, stiff, changing in colour and lifeless,' she said. 'I almost couldn't recognise him.'
Father's Immeasurable Grief
Noah's father shared his own emotional statement, describing how 'the loss is immeasurable' and affects every aspect of life.
'Since Noah's death, my mental health has been profoundly affected,' he said. 'I think about him every single day. Some days it's a quiet ache, other days it's a wave of grief that feels impossible to carry.'
He spoke about imagining the life Noah should have had and how the tragedy affects his sleep, concentration, and ability to feel hopeful about the future.
Lasting Family Impact
The father revealed that his daughter was born after Noah's death and will grow up hearing about her brother instead of playing with him.
'She has been denied a relationship that should have shaped her childhood,' he said. 'Noah's absence is felt in every corner of our lives - birthdays, holidays, and ordinary days all carry the reminder of what should have been.'
He concluded: 'Noah deserved to live, he deserved to be protected, and we deserve to watch him grow up.'
Initial Response and Closure
The day after Noah's death, nursery owner Deborah Latewood sent a message to parents informing them a child had died after 'suffering a cardiac arrest' and offering her 'deepest thoughts and prayers' to his family.
Noah was found unresponsive at 3:13 pm on December 9, 2022, and pronounced dead at hospital approximately one hour later. The nursery has since been permanently closed.
