Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Stars back accused nanny

Thursday 29 January 1998 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A committee of French writers, singers and sports-people has started a campaign to free a French nanny accused of the manslaughter of an 11-month-old baby. The case of Marie-Christine Atouillan, placed in custody two months ago, will be reconsidered by an appeal court in Versailles tomorrow.

Ms Atouillan, 28, is from the French Caribbean island of Martinique; her formal document of accusation describes her as a "person of colour", something extremely unusual in French legal procedure. The nanny's supporters believe that there was an element of racial prejudice in the decision to begin criminal proceedings against her.

Ms Atouillan, married with two small children of her own, was left in sole charge of an 11-month-old baby boy in a suburban house west of Paris last November. The child was taken to hospital after Ms Atouillan said that he had fallen from his bed. He died that night from a cerebral haemorrhage.

The appeal court in Versailles will decide tomorrow whether, at the very least, to free the nanny while the investigation continues.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in