A former nursery worker, Myriam J., is on trial for allegedly murdering an 11-month-old girl, Lisa, by administering a toxic substance to silence her cries. Myriam admitted to her actions but claimed they were unintentional. The incident occurred at a Lyon micro-nursery while she was the only staff member present. Despite her assertions of ignorance regarding the substance’s dangers, investigators believe the circumstances suggest a deliberate act. The trial is attracting significant public interest as it unfolds.
Trial of Former Nursery Employee for the Death of a Child
A deeply unsettling case has captivated public attention, as a former employee of a People & Baby nursery faces trial for the alleged ‘murder of a minor’ before the Rhône Assize Court. The proceedings are set to take place from Tuesday to Thursday, drawing significant scrutiny from the community.
Incident Details and Admission of Guilt
Myriam J., now 30 years old, began her trial by acknowledging her actions, stating, “I acknowledge the facts but it was not intentional.” She admitted to administering a toxic substance, Destop, to Lisa, an 11-month-old girl under her care, in an attempt to silence her cries back in 2022.
On June 22, 2022, Myriam was the only staff member present at the ‘Danton rêve’ micro-nursery in Lyon, where she had been employed for just three months. She viewed her permanent contract as a significant milestone after overcoming a challenging educational journey, marked by partial deafness from recurrent ear infections.
In a critical timeline of events, after Lisa’s father dropped her off at 7:59 AM, Myriam J. conducted a Google search by 8:07 AM for advice on responding to a child who had ingested toilet unblocker. Just minutes later, two other mothers arrived to find her in a state of panic, with Lisa vomiting. One of the mothers placed a distressing call for help, which was described as a ‘chilling call’ by the investigator, capturing the child’s screams in the background. Tragically, Lisa was found unconscious and succumbed shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Authorities have indicated that the amount ingested by Lisa could not have resulted from accidental ingestion, as the injuries sustained were too severe. Myriam J. was apprehended later that day while shopping at a mall, shortly after the incident.
During the investigation, she claimed ignorance regarding the caustic nature of Destop and maintained that her actions were not deliberate. However, medical professionals involved in Lisa’s care concluded that the quantity ingested was indicative of a deliberate act rather than an accident.
When asked about her passion for working with children, Myriam J. expressed, “I have always loved children,” emphasizing her desire to witness their development. Nonetheless, parents of children she cared for described her as occasionally struggling with communication and being ‘not comfortable with children,’ raising concerns about her ability to fulfill her role effectively.
As the trial continues, Myriam J. is set to provide further insights into the events that transpired, while the prosecution prepares for closing arguments on Thursday.