Northern Territory Police are investigating the death of a toddler in hospital following a medical incident at a childcare centre near Darwin two days earlier.
The ABC has seen several emails sent to parents of children enrolled at the childcare centre in Humpty Doo, in Darwin’s rural area, about “an incident involving a child requiring medical assistance”.
In the latest update, management confirmed a young girl died on Saturday after being taken to the Royal Darwin Hospital on Thursday.
“Our hearts are heavy, and our thoughts are with the family and friends at this time,” the email said.
“This is still under investigation and with respect for the family, we are still limited in what can be shared and appreciate the stress and worry this may cause.”
A St John Ambulance spokesman said the service attended the centre on Thursday last week, and transported one patient to the Royal Darwin Hospital in a critical condition.
In a statement, NT Police said it was investigating the toddler’s “unexpected death”.
The ABC understands the death is not being treated as suspicious.
Litchfield council area, Humpty Doo
Humpty Doo is about 40km south-east of Darwin.(ABC News: Michael Donnelly)
On Thursday, the childcare centre emailed parents reassuring them that there was “no identifiable risk to any children in the service”.
“We want to reassure families that the safety of their children is always our highest priority,” the email said.
The childcare centre and NT health department declined to comment.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Acting NT Chief Minister Nicole Manison offered her condolences to the child’s family.
“This is a parent‘s worst nightmare, and my heart goes out to the family that have lost their beautiful child,” she said.
“It’s not just that family and their friends, it’s a whole community there — anybody who sends their child to childcare knows what it’s like, and about that community that goes around it. So there are a lot of devastated people here.
“Right now I just want to send my deep, heartfelt sympathy out to the family, and know that the appropriate responses have been put in place in this very difficult and sad time.”
