A two-year-old child has died following an incident at a daycare centre in Vantaa, where the child became trapped between a foldable bed and a wall during a rest period in March, police said.
The child died on Thursday after sustaining injuries at Kelokuusen daycare on 24 March, according to Eastern Uusimaa Police. The case has shifted from suspected aggravated injury to suspected causing death through negligence.
Police said the incident took place during a daytime rest period. Some children had already woken while others remained asleep. A staff member noticed the child in a cabinet-style bed but then turned attention to another child.
The employee lifted the bed against the wall, unaware the child remained inside. The child slipped into a gap between the bed and the wall and became trapped for several minutes before emergency services arrived.
Rescue teams freed the child, who received resuscitation at the scene and was taken to hospital. The child later died from injuries.
“This is a major human tragedy and all involved are deeply affected,” said Detective Chief Inspector Marko Särkkä, who leads the investigation.
Police said the bed functioned as designed and showed no technical fault. Investigators found that the structure allows a gap of up to 15 to 17 centimetres when raised, which creates a risk for small children. The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency has also stated that similar incidents relate to use rather than product defects.
The suspected offence now carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison. One staff member is under investigation. Police said inquiries will continue for several weeks, including a review of staffing levels at the time of the incident.
Vantaa city officials confirmed that staffing met required levels on the day of the incident.
The city has introduced new guidance for all daycare centres. Staff must now ensure two adults are present when beds are raised and that no children remain in the room during the process.
Authorities will also review all similar beds in municipal daycare centres and assess safety risks. No decision has been made on whether to remove them from use.
A day of mourning has been scheduled for 7 April at Vantaa City Hall and the daycare centre. Parents at the facility will receive information after the Easter period, while staff have already been briefed.
Police said the child’s family has been informed and is receiving support.
HT
