Heartbroken family and friends of Maliq Namok-Malamoo, the 3-year-old boy who passed away after being left in the back of a sweltering childcare center bus, have gathered at his funeral.
The young boy, also known as Meeky, was found unconscious in the back of the minibus after being picked up from his family home.
Around 500 people came to say their goodbyes to Meeky. His small coffin was decorated with blue balloons and colorful summer flowers.
The youngster’s devastated family said they had been left ‘distressed’ by the incident. Two childcare workers were also charged over the three-year-old boy’s death.
Cairns Post reported that Meeky’s great-grandmother Shireen Malamoo said: “We all grieve our loss in circumstances that should never have happened.
“We will carry this grief for our life times. It is on our watch to ensure that justice prevails. You must ethically, legally, financially acknowledge that the child care system is broken. We seek justice for Maliq.”
Meeky’s mom, Muriel, said in a heartfelt speech that he was her ‘true love.’
His uncle Nick also said: “As you can imagine the sudden loss of our little boy has been distressing for the family. It has left many of us with the difficult task of trying to come to terms with his loss.
“He was a three-year-old boy who was deeply connected to his siblings, his peers and older children and he played a big part in a really close-knitted family.”
Cairns Magistrate Court heard how the child was left strapped in a baby seat in the sweltering bus for 6 long hours.
It was only when the center’s director, Lewis, returned to the bus that Meeky was discovered.
Lewis called Triple-O and said: “I’ve left a child on the bus… my life is over.”
He can be heard saying: “Oh my God, this kid is dead. Oh my God, I’m the director of the childcare centre… the child was left on the bus all day.
“I’ve just opened up the bus and he’s here, dead… I’m so sorry buddy. I’m going to jail, this is all my fault. Oh my God. My whole life is over.”
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