“Rest in peace, little angel” : A baby tragically loses their life in their sleep, trapped by their crib. More details in the first comment. 

In April 2017, a tragedy shook a nursery near Vienne: a ten-month-old baby girl was found lifeless in her crib, her head trapped between the bars.

This heartbreaking incident, which occurred on April 7, highlighted serious safety flaws in the crib’s design.

The child had been placed in the care of “La Courte Échelle,” a social childcare facility, since 2016 following a judicial decision. She suffered from heart problems requiring close medical monitoring.

However, her death was not attributed to her pre-existing health conditions.

An autopsy determined that asphyxiation was the cause of death, resulting from the trap formed by the crib’s bars. The investigation revealed five safety non-compliances in the crib’s construction.

While the organization managing the childcare facility was cleared of responsibility, the justice system turned its focus to the crib’s manufacturer. Based in the Vosges, the company specializing in children’s furniture and toys was found guilty of negligence.

Years later, the company’s director was convicted, acknowledging the critical role the defective crib played in this tragedy, which left a deep impact on public opinion from 2017 to 2020.