The heartbreaking death of 22-month-old Ebony Thompson may have triggered major allegations against the Humpty Doo Community & Child Care Centre. Now three staff members are being held criminally liable for this heartbreaking incident. A tort claims notice describes what happened on August 31, 2023, when the year-old toddler got stuck on a barbed-wire fence at the facility. In the terrible moments before her death, Ebony spent ten minutes unaccounted for. This promise of safety turned into a ticking time bomb across all centers, raising grave questions about the lack of oversight at the facility.
Now, the childcare centre and its staff members have been charged with serious offences. They completely and negligently supervised children or allowed them to come in reasonable danger and hazard. Judge Elisabeth Armitage found that the Queensland Education & Care National Team {QECNT} did not do enough to identify the hazards the fence presented. In turn, they poorly mitigated the hazards that left Ebony stuck. The judge noted that while lapses in supervision may occur, it is “impossible to eliminate all supervision lapses.”
Advocacy for Change
In the wake of this tragedy, Ebony Thompson’s family is seeking change. They are now lobbying for “Ebony’s Law,” which would prohibit the use of loop-top fencing at childcare facilities. Additionally, they are calling for a “three strikes rule.” This rule would result in immediate closure of centres that can’t adequately supervise children. This measure would make sure that childcare providers can’t continue to disregard their duty and harm children by operating below safety standards.
Ebony’s family made it clear that despite this horrific tragedy, they want to see big changes in childcare rules. They stated, “Through this process, the findings into Ebony’s death have highlighted concerning shortfalls in regulations surrounding supervision and fencing within daycare centres across Australia.” They emphasized the need for action, adding, “We believe it is now vital that these issues are addressed to ensure the safety of all children in care.”
Government Response
Even Jo Hersey, the Northern Territory Minister for Education, recognized this majesty of this dire crisis. She followed up on a question regarding the education department’s prosecution of the Humpty Doo Community & Child Care Centre and its staff. She reiterated the need for accountability. “Childcare centres need to be held accountable, and I will not hesitate to take action against providers who do not meet National Quality Standards,” she stated.
Stay tuned in the coming weeks, for Hersey will announce a new, radical overhaul of QECNT. This plan includes trimming funding for centers that fail to meet the new standards. She offered her sympathies to the family of young Ebony Thompson, whose fellow passengers, “My heart goes out to them every single day. Additionally, Hersey noted that the charges against childcare staff mark a significant development, saying, “This is the first time childcare staff have been charged in the Northern Territory, which sends a clear message child safety must come first.”
