2025-07-16T12:11:19Z

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Imagine a world where a child’s innocent play turns into an unimaginable tragedy. This is precisely what happened at the Jeanne-de-Flandre Children’s Hospital in Lille, where a six-year-old boy allegedly caused the death of a premature newborn.

The shocking incident has prompted a criminal investigation. The newborn, identified as Zayneb-Cassandra, suffered a traumatic brain injury last Friday after reportedly being dropped by the boy. Tragically, she was found unresponsive alongside the boy in a neonatal unit and later declared dead.

Described as a 'disruptive presence', the boy had been wandering the hospital halls unattended, treating the baby like a doll, according to investigators. The newborn’s grandmother recounted how the boy was often seen running around, with mothers voicing their concerns. A nurse had even warned the boy’s mother about his behavior.

Zayneb was her mother's first child, born prematurely at seven and a half months to a 23-year-old woman. Her grandmother shared with the Voix du Nord newspaper that the boy had entered Zayneb's room, captivated by her doll-like appearance. Tragically, he attempted to pick her up by her nappy, resulting in a fatal fall.

In the wake of this tragedy, the Lille Judicial Police Service has launched a juvenile unit investigation alongside local prosecutors. Meanwhile, the hospital has opened an internal administrative investigation to determine how such an incident could occur.

This heartbreaking event eerily echoes another recent accident in Ibiza, where an eight-year-old boy sustained severe injuries after falling while attempting to retrieve a towel from a hotel balcony.