A Dudley father has spoken out, demanding answers and justice after learning his son was assaulted at Fairytales Day Nursery, the same nursery where 14-month-old Noah Sibanda lost his life under harrowing circumstances.
The father, who wishes to remain anonymous to protect his child’s identity, revealed he had been kept in the dark about the abuse his son suffered during his six-month attendance in the nursery’s baby room on Bourne Street. Noticing his son often came home sweaty and distressed, he never imagined the setting was a “ticking time bomb” of neglect and abuse—a revelation that now fills him with guilt.
Noah Sibanda tragically died on December 9, 2022, after being tightly wrapped in a sleeping bag by key worker Kimberley Cookson. She placed him face down inside a tepee with a blanket covering his head and forced him to sleep despite clear signs he was not ready to nap. Cookson patting him forcefully and restraining him with her leg for seven minutes led to Noah’s suffocation. He was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead at the hospital.
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The father said other parents had no idea that anything had occurred. His partner was only informed after picking up their son at around 5 p.m., when police declared the nursery a crime scene. Initially, they were only told a child had died. Suspicion grew when police requested a photo of their son to identify him on CCTV footage.
“It was strange, and it made me think something else must have happened,” the father said. A week later, police informed him his son had also been assaulted. While the authorities did not disclose details, the father suspects his son endured treatment similar to what Noah suffered. Frustrated, he expressed dissatisfaction with the police handling of the case, noting they had had minimal contact since charges were brought against Cookson and nursery owner Deborah Latewood.
Cookson was sentenced to three years and four months in prison, while Latewood received a six-month suspended jail term after admitting to failing safety duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act. CCTV footage revealed repeated rough handling of babies by several staff members, often in the presence of supervisors, highlighting systemic failures.
The father insists that others involved who escaped punishment should be held accountable. A support group has formed among parents of children who attended the nursery during the troubled period, all seeking transparency and accountability.
At a minimum, he says, he wants to know exactly what happened to his son and to view the CCTV footage, even if painful—to find closure and ensure justice for all affected children.
“I believe the police can still pursue this. Mistakes have been made, and along with other parents, I demand answers,” he said.
West Midlands Police confirmed that all parents were informed of the investigation and concerns about unsafe sleeping practices. A spokesperson emphasized that thorough investigations led to the charges against those responsible, aligning with the Health and Safety at Work Act.
The Crown Prosecution Service also expressed sympathy for Noah’s family and confirmed it held the nursery and individuals responsible accountable for his tragic death, along with prosecuting for the risks posed to other children in their care.