Three years after an infant’s remains were discovered inside a washing machine at Abass Ndao Hospital, the Dakar Correctional Court examined the involuntary manslaughter case on Thursday, September 10, 2026, according to reporting by Les Échos. Nurses Ndèye Birame Sylla and Rose Niang Diop, alongside laundry worker Astou Diène, face prosecution over the July 2023 tragedy that occurred within the neonatal unit.
Chronology of the Incident at Abass Ndao Hospital
The tragedy unfolded during a night shift in the neonatology service where Ndèye Birame Sylla monitored eight babies, one of whom passed away. Court proceedings detailed how the infant’s body was wrapped in bedsheets before staff assembled a laundry bag destined for the hospital’s washing facilities. A sequence of handling between nursing personnel and the laundry service ultimately moved the bag containing the child into the washing machine.
Testifying before the court, Astou Diène stated that she discovered a bundle of laundry outside the nursery door at approximately 7:30 a.m. She collected the item and placed it directly into the washing machine without checking the contents. Diène noted that staff typically did not inspect items wrapped inside baby linens, unlike surgical linens that undergo thorough checks for items like syringes or blood traces. Rose Niang Diop acknowledged transporting a laundry bag toward the laundry room but maintained she had no knowledge that an infant was inside. Hospital staff discovered the remains only after the washing cycle concluded.
Testimony from the Family and Civil Arguments
Jean François Kouderin delivered an emotional testimony at the bar, explaining that the deceased infant was his and his wife’s first child. The baby had received initial care from a pediatrician before moving to the Kangaroo room. The parents returned home unaware it would be their last time seeing their child alive, learning of the grim discovery only upon returning to the hospital. Kouderin detailed severe psychological fallout for the couple, noting that his wife required ongoing care from a psychiatrist and psychotherapist after viewing the child’s remains.
Me Mamadou Diaw, lawyer for the civil party, argued that standard sorting protocols failed at both the initial collection point and the laundry room arrival. Relying on the official death certificate, the counsel described a full hot-liquid wash cycle that caused extensive injuries to the infant’s body. The civil party demands that the defendants be declared guilty alongside 100 million FCFA in damages for the parents.
Legal Positions and Anticipated Verdict
The public prosecutor requested a six-month firm prison sentence and a 500,000 FCFA fine for Ndèye Birame Sylla, alongside a 200,000 FCFA fine for Astou Diène. Regarding Rose Niang Diop, the prosecutor left the decision to the discretion of the tribunal. Meanwhile, defense counsel requested the acquittal of all three defendants. The judicial agent of the State requested that the State of Senegal be removed from the indemnification portion of the legal proceedings. The court scheduled its final ruling for December 17, 2026, according to Les Échos.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the status of the legal proceedings?
The Dakar Correctional Court examined the case on Thursday, September 10, 2026, and scheduled its final deliberated verdict for December 17, 2026.
Who are the defendants in the trial?
The defendants include nurses Ndèye Birame Sylla and Rose Niang Diop, as well as laundry worker Astou Diène.
What penalties has the prosecution requested?
The prosecutor requested six months of firm prison and a 500,000 FCFA fine for Ndèye Birame Sylla, a 200,000 FCFA fine for Astou Diène, and left sentencing for Rose Niang Diop to the wisdom of the tribunal.