Tara Steers and Bianca Reynolds have been charged with grievous bodily harm after allegedly leaving the toddler inside the Rockhampton daycare centre’s courtesy bus, which was parked in front of the centre for six hours on May 4.
The little girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was found unresponsive on the sweltering bus around 3pm that day.
She was airlifted to Brisbane in a critical condition and given just a five per cent chance of survival.
9News understands it will be alleged the childcare centre marked the little girl as present that day and that staff didn’t realise she was missing until after a headcount.
The toddler survived the ordeal but now attends regular appointments to assess the risk of long-term damage.
The toddler’s family told 9News the child is thriving but still needs regular check-ups.
Steers and Reynolds no longer work at the childcare centre.
They were not required to enter a plea in the Rockhampton Magistrates Court today.
Defence lawyer Allan Grant, who is representing Reynolds, did not reveal how his client would plead.
“I think we’ll tell the court that first,” he said.
“Obviously it’s very upsetting for the family and my client appreciates that.”
Steers and Reynolds will return to court in September.
If found guilty, they could be facing up to ten years behind bars.
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