Nearly six years after the death of a two-year-old girl who choked on a sausage at nursery, prosecutors are set to bring health and safety proceedings over the circumstances of her death.
Sadie Salt died in hospital two days after she is believed to have choked while eating lunch alongside 25 other children at Mini Learners nursery in Radlett, Hertfordshire, on Nov 12 2020. Hertsmere Borough Council said on Tuesday that it had authorised a prosecution under health and safety legislation following what it described as "a full and thorough investigation".
Family statement
"Nearly six years have passed since Sadie's death, and throughout that time we have continued to suffer grief and heartbreak every day", Sadie's parents Zoe and Adam said in a statement released through their solicitor, the Daily Star reports.
"Nothing can make up for the devastating loss of our daughter, and the impact of her death remains with us in every aspect of our lives. We are grateful to Hertsmere Borough Council for its thorough investigation of Sadie's case and to everyone who has worked to help bring matters to this point.
"As formal charges have been brought, it is important that this legal process is allowed to run its course. In due course we will be looking to the inquest into Sadie's death to give us answers we have been waiting so long to know."
Campaign and legal response
The pair have campaigned to prevent nurseries from serving high-risk foods such as sausages and grapes to children under five since Sadie's tragic passing. An inquest into the toddler's death was opened and adjourned in 2022.
Jill Paterson from legal firm Leigh Day stated: "Today's announcement is an important milestone for Sadie's family, who have shown remarkable strength and resilience since her death."
"We will continue to support them as they seek and await answers about what happened to their daughter at Mini Learners nursery in Hertfordshire in November 2020."
