NSW: Coroner examines death of toddler at home daycare centre

00-00-0000
NSW: Coroner examines death of toddler at home daycare centre

By Denise McNamara

SYDNEY, Feb 10 AAP - Police have recommended all home daycare centres install toughenedglass after a toddler bled to death when he fell through a window.

Two-year-old Liam Suttonberg was sitting at a table eating lunch when his chair buckledand crashed into a nearby window at a council-regulated daycare centre at Miranda in Sydney'ssouth on February 5 last year.

Jagged glass cut his face and severed an artery in his neck, an inquest into his deathheard today.

Detective Sergeant Craig Hutcheson told the NSW Coroner's Court a police inquiry foundno negligence or suspicious circumstances.

However, he recommended daycare facilities run from private residences meet the samesafety requirements as other childcare centres by installing toughened glass throughoutthe home.

"I submit that the application of safety laminate or replacement with toughened glassbe required in family daycare facilities prior to operating in areas accessible by children,"

he said.

Mandatory safety inspections currently conducted by local councils should confirm glassmet the required standard, he said.

Liam's father Ray Suttonberg of Cronulla said the family wanted to get to the truthof the tragedy to ensure all children were safe while in care.

"Closure? I don't know what that means. This is very painful for us to go through.

We do want to find the truth," Mr Suttonberg said outside court.

The inquest was told a call to emergency services only indicated glass had broken ona child's head and omitted any reference to serious injuries.

Ambulance officers arrived in eight minutes but had to call for backup as they werenot equipped to deal with the extent of his injuries.

Paramedics arrived ten minutes later.

Forensic pathologist Dr Johannes Duflou said there was "a window of opportunity" whereLiam could have been revived "under optimal circumstances" but brain damage would havebeen likely.

"It would depend on whether there was effective circulation of blood to the brain.

Then how long it would take to get a theatre up and running for the purpose of treatinghis condition," Dr Duflou said.

"I think it's possible to say if the brain is starved of oxygen for four minutes therewould be irreversible brain damage."

Carer Nassra Ibrahim is expected to give evidence on Wednesday.

The inquest before coroner John Abernethy will continue all week.

AAP dmc/nf/gl/br

KEYWORD: SUTTONBERG NIGHTLEAD