Abdoulaye Dieng, a 1-year-old boy, died on July 22 after his head became trapped between a mirror and a metal safety bar at the Luz do Brás daycare in São Paulo. Family members allege children were left unattended while staff attended the director’s birthday, prompting a Civil Police manslaughter investigation. Five employees have been questioned and the Municipal Department of Education has opened a parallel administrative review. The family says they are devastated and a funeral was held on July 24.
São Paulo Daycare Tragedy: 1-Year-Old Abdoulaye Dies After Head Trapped Behind Mirror; Staff Allegedly Unsupervised
Abdoulaye DiengCredit: Polícia Civil do Estado de São Paulo
A 1-year-old boy, identified as Abdoulaye Dieng, died after his head became trapped between a mirror and a metal safety bar in the playroom of the Luz do Brás daycare center in São Paulo on July 22, according to Brazilian outlets O Globo and G1 and coverage by PEOPLE.
Authorities say Abdoulaye struggled for several minutes before staff noticed and freed him. Employees then carried the boy to the Military Police at about 9:20 a.m., and he was transported to the Mooca Emergency Care Unit (UPA), where he later died. Local reports indicate the child died from asphyxiation.
Abdoulaye Dieng died of asphyxiation at a daycare center in São Paulo on July 22Credit: Polícia Civil do Estado de São Paulo
Allegations and Investigation
The child’s family alleges that children at the center were left unsupervised while staff attended the daycare director’s birthday event on the morning of July 22. The Civil Police opened a criminal investigation on suspicion of manslaughter and have questioned five employees: the director, a coordinator, a teacher, a pedagogue and another staff member.
Separately, the Municipal Department of Education (MDE) has launched an administrative review to run in parallel with the police inquiry. In a statement cited by O Globo, the MDE said that if irregularities are confirmed it may take measures including possible disqualification of the partner organization that operates the unit.
Police tape (stock image)Credit: Getty
Family Response and Community
“They sent a message saying the child had fallen ill. The parents believed their son was receiving medical attention,” said the family’s lawyer, Erson de Oliveira, as reported by O Globo.
Abdoulaye’s father, Ibrahima Dieng, who is originally from Senegal and has lived in Brazil for eight years, told G1 that the family is devastated: “[I] cry, cry a lot, it’s so sad.” A funeral was held for the boy on July 24.
What’s Next
Investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding Abdoulaye’s death. The daycare, the Civil Police and the MDE have not provided additional public comment beyond the initial reports. The investigation’s findings and any administrative or legal actions will determine whether staff conduct or facility conditions contributed to this fatal incident.
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