In a heart-wrenching incident that has sent shockwaves through the community, Ebony Thompson, a 22-month-old child, tragically lost her life after becoming trapped by her neck in a gate at the Humpty Doo Community and Child Care Centre near Darwin on August 31, 2023. The circumstances surrounding her death have deeply affected her family and raised significant concerns about safety standards in childcare facilities.

Last month, NT Coroner Elisabeth Armitage concluded that Ebony’s death was preventable and underscored the need for urgent reforms. She recommended a series of changes aimed at improving fencing standards, as well as enhancing training and supervision at childcare centers. The coroner’s findings have prompted calls for immediate action to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.

In response to this tragedy, an announcement is expected soon regarding a comprehensive plan to revamp the Quality Education and Care NT (QECNT). This plan will include measures to withdraw funding from centers failing to meet National Quality Standards, ensuring stricter compliance and safety protocols.

Armitage described Ebony’s untimely passing, which occurred in the Intensive Care Unit at Royal Darwin Hospital two days after the accident, as a profound “tragedy” that “invokes fear in all parents of young children.” Her comments reflect the widespread concern and urgency for reform in childcare safety measures.

The investigation revealed that Ebony’s fatal injury occurred when her neck was caught between the loops of a loop-topped gate. Although the design was permitted by existing fencing regulations, it had previously been identified by Kidsafe as posing significant risks of entrapment and strangulation. The coroner emphasized that “Ebony’s death was a preventable death and her family is devastated,” highlighting the critical need for immediate action to address these safety hazards.

“Ebony’s death was a preventable death and her family is devastated,” Armitage said. 

“Her death rightly shocked the broader public.

“Her family and the wider public deserve to be reassured that the cause of Ebony’s death has been established and that steps have been taken to ensure a tragedy like this does not occur to another child, to another family, in this or any other childcare centre.”

Ebony’s family had called for sweeping changes to be made but she said some of them fell beyond the scope of the evidence available at the inquest. 

In a family statement read at the start of the inquest, parents Floyd and Jade and siblings Cooper and Elsey paid tribute to the “sweetest daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece and friend”.

“She truly made all our lives complete,” they said.

“Ebony was known to her family and friends as Puds or Puddy.

“She got her nickname from being the cutest little pudding. 

“Her chubby cheeks and infectious smile made your day from the moment she woke in the morning. 

“The love and joy she brought into all our lives is something we will forever be grateful for.

“She touched our hearts in a way we will all cherish forever.”