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Family of drowned toddler wants day-care pool ban, tougher penalties after owner fined $6500

A devastated Perth family are begging for pools to be banned at day-care centres after the death of their only son.

In 2015, Lachlan Mitchell was found face down in a pool at a family day-care centre in Carramar, just two days before his third birthday.

An inquest heard the toddler had been left alone for five to seven minutes, but Lachlan's mother suspected it was longer.

"Your mainstream day cares don't include a pool and I think it's reasonable to think that family day care shouldn't either," Melanie Mitchell said.

In 2015, Lachlan Mitchell was found face down in a pool at a family day-care centre. Photo: 7 News
In 2015, Lachlan Mitchell was found face down in a pool at a family day-care centre. Photo: 7 News
Lachlan was two days away from turning three when he was found in the pool. Photo: 7 News
Lachlan was two days away from turning three when he was found in the pool. Photo: 7 News

Daycare owner Karla Zablah was fined $6,500 for failing to adequately supervise Lachlan.

But Ms Mitchell's lawyer wants tougher penalties of up to $75,000 for deaths in family day care if the operator was proved to be negligent.

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Ms Zablah told the court she did not move pot plants Lachlan might of used to climb her pool fence because she was busy.

The toddler's mother, Melanie, said she hopes Lachlan's story can help others. Photo: 7 News
The toddler's mother, Melanie, said she hopes Lachlan's story can help others. Photo: 7 News
The daycare owner, Karla Zablah, was fined $6,500 told the court she did not move pot plants Lachlan might have used to climb the pool fence. Photo: 7 News
The daycare owner, Karla Zablah, was fined $6,500 told the court she did not move pot plants Lachlan might have used to climb the pool fence. Photo: 7 News

"She's obviously devastated by what happened, we clearly can't hold that against her. It's just her way of coping," Ms Mitchell said.

The mother said she is determined for Lachlan's legacy to save others.

"He was a beautiful, kind, caring little guy," she said.

The court heard Lachlan was left alone for five to seven minutes. Photo: 7 News
The court heard Lachlan was left alone for five to seven minutes. Photo: 7 News