Mum of baby who died at nursery says 'I handed Noah to the people who killed him'
April 17, 2026
WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: Healthy Noah Sibanda was just 14-months-old when he died at Fairytales Day Nursery in Dudley after being 'wrapped tightly' in a sleeping bag and physically retrained
The mother of a 14-month-old boy who died after being restrained face-down on a cushion at a nursery said she feels she "handed Noah to the people who killed him." Her son, Noah Sibanda, suffocated at Fairytales Day Nursery in Dudley on December 9, 2022. The nursery has since admitted corporate manslaughter, and a nursery practitioner, Kimberley Cookson, has been sentenced to three years and four months in jail for gross negligence manslaughter. In a victim impact statement, Noah’s parents, Masi and Thulani Sibanda, spoke of their "naïve trust" in the nursery and the enduring pain of their loss.
The tragedy unfolded when Cookson, a practitioner at the nursery, placed Noah for a nap. CCTV footage from the nursery revealed that the toddler was tightly wrapped in a sleeping bag and placed face down on a cushion. A blanket was also placed over his head, and he was physically restrained, including with a leg, in an effort to make him sleep. The child was left unchecked for two hours before he was found unresponsive. Paramedics were called, but Noah was pronounced dead at a hospital. A pathologist concluded that he died from suffocation in a severely restricted sleeping environment from which he could not escape.
Following an extensive investigation by West Midlands Police, charges were brought against the nursery worker, the director, and the company itself. Cookson, 23, pleaded guilty to gross negligence manslaughter. The company, Fairytales Day Nursery Limited, admitted to corporate manslaughter for failing to ensure a safe sleeping environment for children. The nursery's director, Deborah Latewood, 55, also admitted to a health and safety offense, acknowledging that while she did not know about the dangerous sleeping practices, she should have. The nursery and its associated premises were closed by the regulator Ofsted just days after Noah’s death, citing a risk of harm to children.
During sentencing at Wolverhampton Crown Court, the court heard how Noah’s parents have been devastated by his death. They described their son as a "beautiful, happy and easy-going little boy." His mother stated that her child "died scared and alone," expressing the profound torment of knowing his final moments were filled with distress. The prosecution described the case as every parent's worst nightmare, highlighting that the nursery had a fundamental duty to protect the children in its care. The dangerous practices were deemed a "recipe for disaster" that created an obvious and serious risk.
The conclusion of the court case provides a measure of legal accountability for the systemic failures that led to Noah's death. The sentences were handed down this week, bringing a close to a more than three-year wait for justice for Noah's family. For the family, however, the loss remains a permanent wound. They have stated they will work to ensure Noah has a legacy so that his life can inspire others and not be defined by the tragic nature of his death.
Source: dailystar