Seven-year-old dies in swimming lesson, two teachers sentenced to suspended sentences

After the death of a seven-year-old boy during swimming lessons, two teachers were sentenced to suspended sentences. The Konstanz District Court found his teacher and the then trainee teacher guilty of negligent homicide. The verdict is not yet final.

The 44-year-old teacher was sentenced to nine months' probation and ordered to pay 10,000 euros in compensation to the boy's parents. The former trainee teacher, now 28, received a six-month suspended sentence and must pay at least 7,000 euros in compensation. Both sentences were suspended for two years. In the judge's view, the boy's death could have been prevented.

The two teachers were charged with negligent homicide through omission. The second-grader drowned during his first swimming lesson on September 18, 2023. According to the court, the accident occurred because all 21 students were let into the water at the same time - including swimmers and non-swimmers.

The boy's death was possible due to inadequate safety precautions. In the judge's view, groups should have been formed for safety reasons. The teachers had no overview of what was happening.

The boy floated in the water for at least a minute before the teacher pulled him out. He was resuscitated in the swimming pool, but died a few days later in hospital.

The teacher had stated in court that she had been keeping an eye on the children. The defense had demanded an acquittal. After the verdict, the lawyers for the two teachers announced an appeal.