UK Father's Accidental Child Death in Cyprus Leads to Court Hearing
A father from Essex is facing sentencing in Cyprus after his two-year-old son died when he was placed on an open windowsill.
Joshua Foster, an auditor from Essex, England, has pleaded guilty to causing death through a reckless, rash, or dangerous act after his son fell to his death from a hotel window in Cyprus. The incident occurred on July 12, the first day of the family's holiday, at the King Evelthon Beach Hotel and Resort in Chlorakas. The two-year-old boy fell nearly 40 feet from the fourth floor.
During a hearing at Paphos District Court, Foster's lawyer stated that the father had placed his son on the windowsill to show him the view of a water park, believing the window was closed. The court was told that Foster, 37, "lost control" of the toddler during this moment. The prosecution confirmed that police received reports of a child falling from height around 6:40 p.m. local time. The boy was later pronounced dead at Paphos General Hospital.
Tests indicated that Foster had an alcohol concentration of 124mg in his blood at the time of the incident, according to court proceedings. Foster, who was held in custody for eight days following the event, appeared in court assisted by a translator and wept as the facts of the case were presented. His lawyer emphasized the profound and lifelong impact this tragedy will have on Foster and his family.
Foster's sentencing is scheduled for October 16. The window from which the child fell was approximately 9.3 feet in width and 3.9 feet in height.