Child dies after daycare accident in Vantaa

A two-year-old child injured in an accident at a daycare centre in Vantaa on 24 March has died, police confirmed on Tuesday, reports Finnish public broadcaster Yle.

The child was trapped between a folding cot and a wall during nap time at the Kelokuusi daycare centre. According to investigators, a staff member had briefly shifted attention to another child and accidentally raised the cot, causing the child to slip into the gap.

“All those involved are deeply shocked by this immense human tragedy,” said Detective Chief Inspector Marko Särkkä, who is leading the investigation.

The case was initially investigated as aggravated assault but has now been reclassified as causing death. Police continue their preliminary investigation but have no further updates at this stage.

The city of Vantaa has expressed its deepest condolences to the child’s family and will fly flags at half-mast at city hall and the daycare centre on Tuesday, 7 April.