Preschool pupil falls in manhole in school, family seeks justice

The family of a three-year-old preschool pupil, who is alleged to have fallen into a manhole in school, is calling on authorities to help investigate the child’s death to help get justice.

According to the family, Nana Kojo who was alleged to have died in the hospital was actually reported to have been dead upon arrival according to the hospital’s report.

“The hospital report shows that the child was dead upon arrival. It means that the boy died long before he was taken to the hospital.”

Rebecca Darko

The child’s aunt, Rebecca Darko, who spoke to the Vaultz News, indicated that although they do not believe the circumstances resulting to the child’s death, the blame should be given to the ‘negligent caregiver’ who was paid specifically to look after the boy because he was a ‘special’ child.

“We even pay extra tuition fees for the caretaker to give special attention to the child because of a speech defect issue he has.”

Rebecca Darko

On Monday, Nana Kojo, was alleged to have fallen into a manhole in the early hours of the day on the premise of Asher Montessori school in Weija. The child was later discovered during the break time after his assigned caregiver could not find him to provide him his lunch. According to the school authority, he was later found in the manhole which is currently under construction.

Child’s uniform not stained

Mrs. Darko, however, noted that although the child was said to have fallen in the manhole with water, his uniform was not stained with any form of dirt and also his white inner wear was very clean per their observations at the mortuary leaving them suspicious as to whether the story they were told is true.

She also disclosed that, there is no way the child would have navigated his way easily through to where the manhole under construction is after she personally went to check on it.

“If you look at where the manhole is and the obstacles in the way. I, the older person, even had a hard time getting there. So, there is no way this boy could have gone there all alone by himself because they have even blocked the path which leads to the place.”

Rebecca Darko

She further indicated that, the Police officer who went to the scene said he didn’t see the child in the manhole upon his arrival at the scene.

The family lamented that although they stay close to the school, they were not informed when the incident happened in the morning. However, they were told later in the afternoon after the child had been taken to the morgue.

Some days prior to his death, the child’s aunt recounts how the child was abused in school for mistakenly stepping on his classmate who was sleeping. This, she said, left the child with numerous bruises.

“The mother of the child on Friday attended a meeting in the school and asked why and was told he was stepping on his sleeping classmates. For a child at his age, the punishment meted out was too harsh.”

Rebecca Darko

Legal action to be taken

Another relative who identifies herself as Getrude, who has been dealing directly with the school, revealed that they are ready to press legal charges. She disclosed that after the issue occurred, the school has only rendered an apology to the family. However, she intimated that the apology has been rejected by the family.

She further revealed that the harrowing part of the situation was that, they were not attentioned or called on to sign any documentation before the child was deposited at the morgue.

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