CYP Now - Oliver Steeper’s death after choking on food at nursery ruled as ‘misadventure’

The death of a nine-month-old boy who died after choking on food at nursery has been ruled as “misadventure” following an inquest.

Oliver Steeper was known to his family as Oli. Picture: Leigh Day

Oliver Steeper, known to his family as Oli, died in September 2021 after inhaling and choking on food at Jelly Beans Day Nursery in Ashford, Kent.

He was taken by paramedics to William Harvey Hospital, before being transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit at Evelina Children’s Hospital in London.

Medical procedures later discovered a significant amount of food debris in Oli’s lungs, some of which doctors were unable to remove. He was unable to survive his injuries and died at Evelina Hospital six days later, an inquest at Medway Coroner’s Court heard.

During the inquest, Oli’s mother Zoe Steeper said she had visited the nursery on several occasions and discussed his feeding requirements with staff, telling them Oli was eating only pureed meals and limited finger food at home.

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