Days-old burns 'likely to have caused death' of two-year-old girl
Police say days-old burns suffered by a two-year-old girl are "likely to have cause her death", while the traumatised parents claim those injuries were the result of a terrible accident.
The toddler died late Thursday night after her parents called an ambulance in the afternoon when they found her unconscious. She was rushed to hospital but could not be saved.
Paramedics found significant burns to the lower half of her body and are believed to have been several days old.
"Those injuries appear to be very severe burns to her back of her legs, her buttocks and lower back and going all the way down to her feet," Detective Inspector Tim Tresize said.
Police have said an autopsy is yet to be completed so the information they have so far is preliminary.
Inspector Tresize said it appears the girl suffered the burns as a result of being immersed in a hot bath.
"Their version is that it's a terrible accident and that a moment's inattention has led to this incident," he said.
Inspector Tresize added: "The injuries are on first glance certainly consistent with that story, and at this stage we have no reason to disbelieve that."
"However due to the very, very serious nature of these burns and the fact that they were so serious that they've quite likely caused her death, we have a very open mind in relation to other possibilities."
Police are investigating what medical assistance had been provided to the toddler after sustaining the injuries.
Detective Inspector Tim Tresize said, "The indications are that the injuries occurred some days ago, they certainly didn't occur yesterday."
Officers said the toddler's parents are assisting the investigation.
"It's a very sad and tragic event and nobody is more traumatised, can I just say, than her parents, who are clearly particularly traumatised," Detective Inspector Tim Tresize said.
Emergency services were called to the home at Ridge Street in Northgate about 3.30pm on Thursday, where they found the toddler unconscious and suffering serious injuries, including significant burns.
They desperately tried CPR and she was taken to Lady Cilento Hospital where she later died.
Police have said the cause of the girl's death is not known.
The investigation is in its early stages.
Newsbreak – May 26
