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Police wait on autopsy after severely burned toddler's death

The parents of a two-year-old girl who died after being left untreated for serious burns will continue to assist police with their investigation as authorities await the results of an autopsy.

Queensland girl Maddilyn-Rose Stokes died in hospital after paramedics arrived at her family's townhouse at Northgate to find her unconscious.

Police told reporters on Friday the little girl had suffered severe, life-threatening burns stretching from her lower back to her feet several days earlier, but her parents did not seek help until Thursday afternoon.

An autopsy on a two-year-old Queensland girl who died after being left untreated for serious burns will help guide police with their investigation. Photo: 7 News
An autopsy on a two-year-old Queensland girl who died after being left untreated for serious burns will help guide police with their investigation. Photo: 7 News

The blonde haired, bright-eyed little girl, was only a month off celebrating her third birthday.

Her parents, 30-year-old Shane Stokes and 23-year-old Nicole Moore, have blamed her injuries on hot bath water, an account police say was consistent with the nature of the burns.

Detective Inspector Tim Tresize said at first glance the severe injuries appear to be consistent with their story.

"Their version is that it's a terrible accident and that a moment's inattention has led to this incident," he said.

"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."

Maddilyn-Rose died in hospital and police claim she suffered what appears to be severe burns. Photo: 7 News.
Maddilyn-Rose died in hospital and police claim she suffered what appears to be severe burns. Photo: 7 News.

It’s claimed the injuries were several days old, and experts allege they had been ignored.

The family was not under investigation by the department of child safety, however 7 News understands the parents were known to police.

A police media spokesman said the results of an autopsy, to be conducted in the coming days, would help guide police with their enquires.

He said the parents were continuing to assist police with their investigation and no charges had been laid as of Saturday morning.