Police investigate after baby dies after choking on food at daycare

Police have launched an investigation into the death of a nine-month-old boy who died after choking on food at daycare.

The death of a nine-month-old baby boy who choked to death on food at his nursery is being investigated by detectives.

Oliver Steeper became unable to breathe while eating and was taken to hospital where he died six days later.

The toddler was under the duty of care at Jelly Beans Day Nursery in the UK county of Ashford, Kent, which closed weeks after the incident in September.

Oliver Steeper was just nine months old when a fatal choking incident led to his death. Picture: SWNS/Mega

The incident occurred while he was at his nursery. Picture: SWNS/Mega

Now, in the week in which the toddler’s funeral was held, police are investigating the circumstances that led to the child’s death.

A Kent Police spokesman said: “We are investigating the circumstances following a death at a childcare facility in Ashford.”

The Kent Safeguarding Children Multi-agency Partnership (KSCMP) is carrying out a review of the case to see if improvements to care for children can be made.

Oliver’s father, Lewis Steeper, said: “The funeral was simply beautiful and was the perfect tribute to Oliver’s life.

“We have great memories, photos and videos we will cherish forever. Oliver’s presence remains strong in our house, with some lovely photos now up on the wall.

“We will never stop loving you, thinking about you and the huge hole in our hearts will never be filled with the joy you brought to our small family.”

The Jelly Beans Day Nursery has since been suspended after serious concerns were raised after the fatal incident. Picture: Google

Well-wishers have donated more than $22,100 in the memory of little Oliver.

The nursery was closed down within weeks of the tragedy.

Initially the daycare centre had been shut down temporarily after education and childcare watchdog Ofsted suspended its registration over “serious safeguarding concerns” relating to the fatal incident.

‘Terrible tragedy’

Matt Dunkley, chairman of the KSCMP, said: “The loss of a child is a terrible tragedy and our thoughts are with Oliver’s family, friends and all those who knew him.

“The KSCMP is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people and we will be undertaking a Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review in relation to this case.

Police have now confirmed they will be investigating the circumstances around Oliver’s death. Picture: SWNS/Mega

“The purpose of the review is to identify improvements that can be made to practice and disseminating the learning so we can achieve better outcomes for Kent’s children and young people.

“An element of this case relates to safe eating in a non-familial setting. The KSCMP is therefore designing a comprehensive Safer Eating campaign to help professionals in a variety of settings ensure they are working to best practice standards when feeding babies and young children.”

This article originally appeared on The Sun and has been republished with permission