Trial of Kindergarten Teacher in Vladičin Han Continues Following Child's Death
New details emerge regarding the incident in which a four-year-old boy died after choking on an acorn.
The trial of a kindergarten teacher from Vladičin Han resumed at the Basic Court in Surdulica, following the tragic death of a four-year-old boy who choked on an acorn in a preschool facility.
The incident occurred on December 27, 2022, when the child ingested the acorn, leading to his death later that day at the Clinical Center in Niš.
The teacher is facing charges of 'abandonment of a helpless person.' Testimonies presented during the trial have confirmed allegations in the indictment that the accused was not present in the room with the children at the time the incident occurred.
Witnesses stated that one of the children placed the acorn in the deceased boy's mouth while he was unmonitored.
In response to inquiries from the court, the prosecution, and the defense attorney, one staff member testified that the accused teacher did not inform them of her intention to leave the area, which prevented another staff member from substituting her in supervising the children.
Previous witnesses had indicated that it was standard practice for the auxiliary staff to be called in whenever a teacher had to leave the room for any reason.
Additionally, it was revealed during the trial that prior to the unfortunate incident, the kindergarten staff had celebrated the accused teacher's birthday.
The teacher has pleaded not guilty to the charges against her and, in earlier hearings, admitted that she had left the children unattended for a duration of nine minutes.
During her testimony, the accused maintained that it was common practice within the preschool to leave children unaccompanied, as serving and cleaning staff frequently refused to step in to supervise the children during such absences, even for necessary breaks.
When questioned by the attorney for the deceased boy's family about the nature of the object that had been ingested, the teacher stated she learned from the director or a doctor later in the day that it was indeed an acorn.
According to her account, while she was out of the room, one of the three children who were awake—a girl—had informed her that one of the two boys present had placed an acorn in the mouth of the sleeping boy.
The father of the deceased child attended the trial but left early due to emotional distress.
The continuation of the trial is scheduled for June 17, during which medical experts are expected to provide their assessments.
The incident occurred on December 27, 2022, when the child ingested the acorn, leading to his death later that day at the Clinical Center in Niš.
The teacher is facing charges of 'abandonment of a helpless person.' Testimonies presented during the trial have confirmed allegations in the indictment that the accused was not present in the room with the children at the time the incident occurred.
Witnesses stated that one of the children placed the acorn in the deceased boy's mouth while he was unmonitored.
In response to inquiries from the court, the prosecution, and the defense attorney, one staff member testified that the accused teacher did not inform them of her intention to leave the area, which prevented another staff member from substituting her in supervising the children.
Previous witnesses had indicated that it was standard practice for the auxiliary staff to be called in whenever a teacher had to leave the room for any reason.
Additionally, it was revealed during the trial that prior to the unfortunate incident, the kindergarten staff had celebrated the accused teacher's birthday.
The teacher has pleaded not guilty to the charges against her and, in earlier hearings, admitted that she had left the children unattended for a duration of nine minutes.
During her testimony, the accused maintained that it was common practice within the preschool to leave children unaccompanied, as serving and cleaning staff frequently refused to step in to supervise the children during such absences, even for necessary breaks.
When questioned by the attorney for the deceased boy's family about the nature of the object that had been ingested, the teacher stated she learned from the director or a doctor later in the day that it was indeed an acorn.
According to her account, while she was out of the room, one of the three children who were awake—a girl—had informed her that one of the two boys present had placed an acorn in the mouth of the sleeping boy.
The father of the deceased child attended the trial but left early due to emotional distress.
The continuation of the trial is scheduled for June 17, during which medical experts are expected to provide their assessments.
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