Overview
- Humpty Doo Community and Child Care Centre, director Rachel Lee Marsh, and two nominated supervisors have been charged with inadequate supervision and failure to protect children under section 165 of the Education and Care Services National Law.
- The Northern Territory Education Department confirmed the prosecutions, with officials noting this is the first time childcare staff have faced such charges in the NT.
- The offences carry significant financial penalties for both the provider and individuals if proven, according to the department.
- Minister Jo Hersey said she will announce plans to overhaul Quality Education and Care NT and intends to pull funding from services that do not meet National Quality Standards.
- Coroner Elisabeth Armitage previously found the 22‑month‑old’s 2023 death was preventable after her neck became trapped in a loop‑topped gate, noting the child was unaccounted for about 10 minutes and entrapped for four minutes or more, and the family is urging a ban on loop‑style fencing and a three‑strike rule for supervision breaches.