Unattended Daycare: April 2013

Case Summary

The final court decision was made, "Judicial settlement with the daycare"

Our 3 months old son was killed by Daycare.

In 2010, I dropped our baby to the daycare. 3 hours later I received phone call from the daycare worker and said they were at the hospital with my son because he wasn’t breathing.

When I arrived at the hospital, my baby was dead. The cause of death was bacterial pneumonia, told by the police

Few weeks later, unbelievable fact was unravelled, the daycare workers left my baby along with 12 other infants alone unattended by any adult and went to the Gym during the napping time, and they were hiding it until the testimony of an eyewitness told the police.

We felt something suspicious about the daycare, therefore we asked for legally autopsy, and the cause of death was not from bacterial pneumonia

The truth is, our baby was put facing down and was suffocated to death while they were at the Gym

We decided to bring a case and press charges against the daycare.
5 years of trial, we were convinced by the court and attorney that it is better to settle with the daycare. Of course we could never agree but after they told us how much it will cost us if we keep continue, it was almost like force decision.

Until today, the daycare hasn't given an apology nor condolence...

Sunday, April 21, 2013

After 2nd court hearing for the Daycare baby death incident

On April 17^th, there was a 2^nd hearing in Naha for our son’s case.

It was only about 15 minutes, but I saw my friends and family and those who supported us at the court. I really appreciate it.

At the court, the daycare admitted she went to a fitness club, however she said,

Hirotake died around 11am, and she went to fitness club at 11:20am, so she claims leaving for fitness club did not cause Hirotake’s death, because he died when she was still in the daycare.

Obviously she is not sorry but only worried about her own sake.

At this moment the daycare is not guilty. I do not understand Japanese Law system.

I know in some other country, if the parents leave the baby unattended, they will get arrested. Very protective law for the children, however In Japan, the daycare left the children unattended is not guilty.

I will never be able to understand this Japanese law system…

Original Japanese version of this article