Photo courtesy of: Today's Northumberland
Ontario Provincial Police have concluded their investigation of a toddler who was found in a septic tank at a day care on May 25, 2023.
Claire Irwin said she only found out her daughter, Vienna Rose Irwin was missing when she arrived to pick her up shortly after 5 p.m. at the Watch Me Grow Day Care on County Road 45 north of Cobourg.
Irwin said the owner of the day care informed her that Vienna was missing and noticed that staff were standing and it appeared there was no active search for her daughter.
Irwin immediately phoned 911, alerting authorities.
A frantic search was started immediately by emergency services and communities members, but the toddler was found shortly after 6 p.m. in a septic tank located inside a fenced playground.
She was rushed to Northumberland Hills Hospital, but was pronounced deceased.
“I can confirm for you that the investigation has concluded,” said A/S/Sgt. Rob Simpson from OPP Corporate Communications Bureau.
The death of child shocked the community hoping answers would be found throughout the investigation which was led by a Major Case Manager with the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch.
Stating it was a “thorough and professional investigation,” Simpson said, “in consultation with the Crown, charges are not being laid at this time as there would be no reasonable prospect of conviction.”
“Our investigative team worked diligently to seek and fully investigate all information as part of this case. We recognize that this outcome may be difficult to accept. We want to assure everyone that this conclusion was reached after careful consideration and a detailed review of all the facts.”
Simpson added, “We sincerely sympathize with the family as they have suffered a great personal loss. We continue to offer them our deepest condolences.”
“We request the public and media continue to respect the family’s privacy as they continue to grieve this loss in their lives.”
(Written by: Pete Fisher, Today’s Northumberland)
