Nursery worker charged over death of 14-month-old Noah Sibanda

A nursery worker has been charged with the manslaughter of a 14-month-old boy in the West Midlands.

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

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it had charged Kimberley Cookson, 22, with gross negligence manslaughter after reviewing evidence supplied by West Midlands Police.

Fairytales Nursery Limited has been charged with one count of corporate manslaughter and a health and safety violation, the CPS added.

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

Malcolm McHaffie, head of the CPS’s special division, said: “Our thoughts remain with the family of Noah Sibanda at this time.

Noah Sibanda, described by his parents as “a beautiful, happy and easy-going little boy”, died after an incident at Fairytales Day Nursery in Bourne Street in Dudley on 9 December 2022.

After a review of the evidence by West Midlands police, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it had authorised criminal charges in relation to Sibanda’s death.

Kimberley Cookson, 22, who was a nursery practitioner, has been charged with one count of gross negligence manslaughter, the CPS said.

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 business.