Yahoo News Police launch probe into death of nine-month-old toddler who died after choking on food at nursery
Police are investigating the death of a nine-month-old boy who choked to death on food at his nursery.
Oliver Steeper became unable to breathe while he was eating at Jelly Beans Day Nursery in Ashford, Kent in September.
He was taken to hospital but died six days later.
The nursery initially shut down temporarily after education and childcare watchdog suspended its registration over "serious safeguarding concerns" and has now closed permanently.
As well as a police investigation, the Kent Safeguarding Children Multi-agency Partnership (KSCMP) is also carrying out a review.
Matt Dunkley, chairman of the KSCMP, said: "The loss of a child is a terrible tragedy and our thoughts are with Oliver's family, friends and all those who knew him.
"The KSCMP is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people and we will be undertaking a Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review in relation to this case.
"The purpose of the review is to identify improvements that can be made to practice and disseminating the learning so we can achieve better outcomes for Kent's children and young people.
His statement added: "An element of this case relates to safe eating in a non-familial setting. The KSCMP is therefore designing a comprehensive Safer Eating campaign to help professionals in a variety of settings ensure they are working to best practice standards when feeding babies and young children."
A Kent Police spokesman said: "We are investigating the circumstances following a death at a childcare facility in Ashford."
The announcement came in the same week as Oliver's funeral.
His father Lewis Steeper,said: "The funeral was simply beautiful and was the perfect tribute to Oliver's life.
"We have great memories, photos and videos we will cherish forever. Oliver's presence remains strong in our house, with some lovely photos now up on the wall.
"We will never stop loving you, thinking about you and the huge hole in our hearts will never be filled with the joy you brought to our small family."
Well-wishers have donated over than £12,000 in Oliver's memory.
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