A screaming child was found locked in a preschool van 80 minutes after the class had returned from a trip. A compulsory roll check was not done on arrival, and Gray took two children inside, leaving Choi with the van and the remaining children. She continued unpacking the van and took bags and equipment inside while monitoring the child in the front. At 2.39pm Gray locked the van and went back into the centre, leaving the child in the back seat unattended. The child was found at 3.28pm when a parent arriving at the centre to collect their own child saw movement in the van and the child inside screaming.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 03, 2026 15:47 UTC