Kindergarten was negligent, claims mum of boy who died after falling into pool

Nilaveni, said her four-year-old son Thanes was found unconscious in a swimming pool next to the kindergarten. - RONNIE CHIN/The Star

IPOH: The mother of a four-year-old boy who drowned in a swimming pool at Bandar Baru Sri Klebang claims that the kindergarten's management was negligent.

D. Nilaveni, 40, said her only child, V. Thanes Nair, died on Sunday (April 23) at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital (HRBP) at about 10.35am here after being admitted on April 17, the day of the incident.

ALSO READ: Kindergarten lodged report after boy fell into swimming pool, say Ipoh cops

She claimed that the management of the kindergarten was still not fully disclosing what actually happened that fateful day.

"I sent my son to the kindergarten at 9am and about 10.45am, I received a call from a teacher stating that my son had a fall and told me to go to the Chemor Health Clinic.

"When I reached the clinic, my son was in a critical condition and not responding.

"The doctor told me that he was in the water for a long time and that they were sending him to the hospital," the distraught mother told a press conference on Sunday.

His cause of death is reported as drowning.

Nilaveni said at the hospital, doctors had to perform brain surgery the next day (April 18) but her son never gained consciousness.

"I want to know why no one from the kindergarten called me when the incident happened.

"Why did I only receive a call at 10.45am, the time class was supposed to dismiss," she added.

"I hope that the police will investigate this case thoroughly," she said.

Nilaveni also said any alleged negligence of the management's part must be looked into.

When contacted, police in Ipoh confirmed receiving a report and said that investigations were being carried out.

The management of Kinder Labz issued a statement that they were saddened to learn of the four-year-old boy's death due to an unfortunate drowning accident.

In the statement, it said that the incident took place at a clubhouse located next to Kinder Labz on April 17.

"We can confirm that Thanes was attending a trial class at our school when the tragedy occurred at about 10am on the day of the incident.

"The management and staff at Kinder Labz are working closely with the authorities and have given statements and provided all existing evidence, including CCTV footage, to authorities to facilitate investigations into the matter.

"We wish to extend our sincerest condolences to the family of Thanes, especially his parents, whom we will continue to keep in our prayers," the statement read.