Jumeirah nanny found negligent after toddler escapes nursery, burns feet

A Sri Lankan woman was fined Dh2,000 after a child suffered second degree burns on his feet when he walked out during nap time.

DUBAI // A Jumeirah nursery nanny was found guilty of negligence after an 18-month old child walked outside to the playground barefoot and burnt his feet on the ground.

AJ, a 47-year-old Sri Lankan, denied negligence charges at the Dubai Court of Misdemeanours.

Prosecutors said that on April 30 AJ failed to provide proper supervision to the British child, NM, at the napping room. He suffered second degree burns from walking on the pavement.

“My mother received a call from the nursery’s head asking her to come pick up her grandson because he had hurt his feet,” said the child’s mother, KM, 29. She reported the matter to police and a medical report confirmed the burn allegations. “Since the burning happened and until my mother arrived to the nursery, they hadn’t even used anything to ease the pain,” said KM. “No creams or medications, they did not call an ambulance or anything.

“The nanny and the nursery head are both responsible for failing to protect my child and take all necessary precautions and measures to protect all the kids. My son was home for two weeks unable to walk on his feet,” she said.

KM said she confronted nursery staff who told her the child opened the door himself and walked out.

“When I asked them about how come they did not make a call for any medical help, they were just silent,” she added.

The defendant denied being a nanny and said she was a cleaner.

“It was a side job that I watch the children when they fall asleep between 1.30 and 2.30pm,” said AJ.

She said that NM was one of three children who walked out to the playground. She ran after them, she said, picked up two and went back for the burnt child, who was crying.

“I was afraid that the other two kids who were older than NM would walk out of the nursery to the street, that’s why I picked them up then returned to NM, who wasn’t outside for more than five minutes,” said the defendant.

She was convicted and fined Dh2,000.