Online abuse as death probed

Death threats and abuse have been hurled after a toddler died in mysterious circumstances in Palmerston North.

Lorenzo Miranda died of a brain bleed, after his parents rushed him to hospital when he stopped breathing on the way home from preschool Little Monkeys in November last year.

Their story was highlighted this week by Ma¯ ori TV programme Native Affairs.

It is unclear what led to the child’s death.

Both Little Monkeys’ owner, Jenny Hall, and Lorenzo’s parents have reported online harassment and abuse as people have picked sides.

Police are investigating the 20-monthold boy’s death.

The Ministry of Education also investigated and concluded the preschool had followed safety protocols and guidelines.

Public attention on Little Monkeys has intensified as a second family has accused the preschool of not providing enough information about an injury suffered by a child in its care.

Hall said she had received death threats and abuse – both in online comments and directly to her Facebook account.

Hall said people were sharing her picture and social media accounts, and the harassment was getting so bad she deleted her accounts.

Hall said the worst abuse was coming from people who didn’t have access to the full facts, or any links to the case.

‘‘It’s mostly random strangers with no connection to me, the centre, or Lorenzo’s family.’’

Lorenzo’s mother, Beaudene Wi, said threats and abuse helped no-one.

‘‘We in no way condone any death threats towards [Hall] or her staff.’’

Negative comments, speculation and abuse drew away focus from what was important – getting answers on exactly what happened to Lorenzo and making sure appropriate action was taken, she said.

Lorenzo’s father, Ricardo Miranda, and Wi have also come under attack online.

They were accused of seeking attention, and vindictively gunning for retribution against Little Monkeys.

The couple appreciated messages of support.

Insults and abuse have also been hurled at Sarah Jacobson, a 19-year-old mother, after she posted on social media about her nearly 1-year-old daughter, Ava-rose, being injured at Little Monkeys.

Jacobson said she had posted to highlight a safety issue.

People were accusing her of cynically using a tragedy to get famous.

‘‘I didn’t do this for fame.

‘‘I hate being all over the media – it’s making me very anxious – but I felt I had to do something.’’

Little Monkeys rang her on Monday to say her little girl had bumped her head.

When she arrived to pick up Ava-rose, a teacher explained the toddler had a nasty bump and cut lip.

Jacobson took Ava-rose to a doctor and her daughter was recovering from a concussion, she said.

But Little Monkeys staff had not communicated how serious Ava-rose’s injury could have been, she said.

Hall said Ava-rose was playing on a slide when another child slid down into her.

‘‘This is a common accident that happens in every daycare ... We’re sorry Ava got hurt, and we understand how awful and stressful it was for Sarah.’’