Boy, 2, dies falling from Cyprus hotel window; father pleads guilty, sentencing set for 16 October

Mixed · 2A two-year-old boy died after falling nearly 40ft from the fourth floor of the five-star King Evelthon Beach Hotel and Resort in Chlorakas, Cyprus, on 12 July, the first day of a family holiday. 1 2 Mixed · 2His father, Joshua Foster, 37, had already pleaded guilty to one count of causing death through a reckless, rash or dangerous act, and the facts of the case were set out at a one-hour hearing at Paphos District Court on 6 October. 2 1 Mixed · 2The court heard that Foster, his wife, two children and in-laws had arrived in Cyprus in the early hours of 12 July and spent the day on activities including visiting the pool, before going to their rooms in the afternoon to get ready for dinner. 1 2

Centre · 1According to Foster's lawyer, Alexandros Alexandrou, as Foster, his son and his father-in-law approached the lift the boy noticed a waterpark outside; Foster pushed the lift button and placed the child on the windowsill, and the boy fell before Foster could react. 1 Mixed · 2The defence said Foster thought there was protective glass and that the window was shut, and had not realised that the window was open; he was described as having "lost control" of the toddler. 1 2 Mixed · 2Prosecutor Chryso Pergandi said Foster had been swinging the child in the air for fun before he temporarily placed him down; the court heard Foster could not recall swinging the child, and the judge said this was not connected to his being placed on the windowsill. 1 2

Mixed · 2Foster's father-in-law said the trio left for dinner at around 6pm, that the boy ran into the lift and was asked to get out, and that Foster then picked him up to place him on the window to see the view; in a voluntary police statement Foster said he placed his son on the windowsill while waiting for the lift. 1 2 Mixed · 2Police were told around 6.40pm that a child had fallen from the fourth floor under unknown circumstances; the boy was taken to Paphos General Hospital and pronounced dead despite resuscitation efforts. 2 1 Mixed · 2A blood sample taken at the hospital, by then around six hours after the incident, showed an estimated alcohol concentration of 124mg. 1 2

Mixed · 2Alexandrou said Foster had fully cooperated with authorities and was held in custody for eight days after the incident, during which he had to call his daughter to explain what had happened; he said the moment would "haunt him for the rest of his life". 1 2 Mixed · 2Foster, an auditor with a long, stable career, faces disciplinary proceedings and could be struck off if sentenced to prison; his lawyer urged the judge to consider a fair sentence that weighs the circumstances, saying "This will not end with two, three years of prison." 1 2 Centre · 1The court heard the window was 2.85 metres wide and 1.2 metres high. Foster, assisted by a translator, quietly wept as the facts were read out, and he will be sentenced on 16 October. 1