Near Toulouse: a little girl burns her feet on the playground of a nursery, her parents file a complaint
In June 2021, two-year-old Céline escaped the vigilance of staff at the municipal nursery of the Château d’eau in Colomiers, before burning her feet on the floor of a playground. The parents’ lawyer has just lodged a complaint with the dean of the examining magistrates.
“What happened to my daughter must not happen again,” says Jérome (1). More than a year after the accident which seriously injured little Céline, then 2 years old, her father is not losing her temper. Assisted by his lawyer Me Cécile Brandely, the 30-year-old has just filed a complaint against the municipal nursery of the Château d’eau in Colomiers.
This accident took place on June 8, 2021. On that day, with the approach of summer, the sun and the heat slowed down the activities of this crèche. To avoid sunstroke, most children are confined indoors, under the supervision of staff. But this security measure does not prevent Céline from escaping the vigilance of adults. The girl spots a wide open door and rushes into the playground. The drama occurs when she enters a playground. Céline has no shoes and walks on a surface that has become hot from the sun.
The injuries are serious. The girl’s parents were called urgently to accompany her to the hospital. Doctors diagnose a second degree burn. “Céline underwent ten days of continuous care in the hospital. Her feet were bandaged, she was screaming in pain”, confesses with emotion Jérôme, her dad. One after this accident, the state of health of Céline remains fragile. “During a recent consultation, a specialist noticed that she was still suffering from the arch of the foot,” continues this Columérin.
Outdated facilities?
The explanations given on the day of the events by those in charge of the crèche were denied by the investigation carried out by the police. By recovering the file during the summer of 2022, Me Cécile Brandely noticed that the crèche staff had not respected several obligations. “Four months before this serious accident, a report issued by the external office, responsible for controlling the play structure, proves that this area was not in conformity”, assures Me Cécile Brandely, the family lawyer.
In addition to the floor, deemed too worn, the external office considers that the ground around the slide was unstuck and degraded. “According to the regulations, this area should be prohibited to the public until it is brought into compliance,” recalls the lawyer.
“This report dated February 8, 2021 did not reveal any non-compliances requiring the closure of the installation. the unsatisfactory condition of the paint and varnish, which showed signs of wear, and of a loose floor on the periphery. These imperfections testify to the normal wear and tear of the structure and did not present any character requiring it to be closed” , answers the town hall of Colomiers. Moreover, according to the municipality, the supervision standards were also respected. “We had 3 agents for 15 children present, including 4 children taking a nap,” said a spokesperson.
It is now up to the dean of the investigating judges of the Toulouse judicial court to decide on the prosecution.