Police Investigate: Death of 18 Month Old Baby

September 12, 2011

The police are investigating the “sudden death” of an 18-month-old boy who was found in an “unresponsive state” at a day care facility this past Friday [Sept.9]. The police said an autopsy has been carried out by a specialist pediatric forensic pathologist from Canada.

A police spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Police Service is investigating the sudden death of an 18 month old male child who was at a residential day care facility on Friday 9th September, when he was found in an unresponsive state.

“The child was rushed to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at about 2:25pm by doctors, who tried to resuscitate him without success.

“An autopsy has been carried out by a specialist pediatric forensic pathologist from Toronto, Canada and those results have been provided to the parents of the young child.

“The parents are also receiving assistance from the Bermuda Police Service, with an appointed Family Liaison Officer, who has special training in assisting families to deal with these types of incidents.

“The Bermuda Police Service would like to extend its sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the young boy, during this most difficult time.”

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  1. SIGH says:

    WTH???? THIS IS MADNESS

  2. Sad!Condolences to the family

    • prayers says:

      Very sad.prayers go out to the family. Hopefully they release the name of the nursery so parents can be aware

      • Emeka47 says:

        @PRAYERS, DO NOT MAKE CONJECTURE, ASSUMPTIONS or INNUENDO. THIS IS AN INVESTIGATION AS TO THE CAUSE OF DEATH. Why do you feel the need to make public aware??? Aware of WHAT! Typical gossip. The family is suffering enough, so let’s not go there! My sincere condolences to the family of this baby!

        • Brown Girl says:

          yes I agree 100%

          • C says:

            I personally would want to know INCASE this is incidence of the day care….

            public should be made aware!

            We cant “sweep” everything under the rug…

            • shannon says:

              There is no need to know the name of the Day care unless they are found to be at fault. Let’s wait for the final conclusion instead of jumping to conclusions.

            • Emeka47 says:

              LIKE I SAID…..IT’s AN INVESTIGATION. LAY OFF THE GOSSIP. Innocent until proven guilty. If and when the case is heard, then yes publize it. You ppl could ruin someone’s business or an individual …..and for what. POKEY BERMUDIANS!!

              • Momma says:

                If the mother said herself that she wants this to be used as an example to other daycares then is it not something of an importance to know, especially when a baby is 100% dependent on adults for their every need.

      • bingy says:

        it had nothing to do with the nursery so please dont assume

  3. Denyse Evans says:

    So sad, my heartfelt condolences go out to the family, I can only imagine what they must be going through.

  4. smh says:

    Tears are falling down my face as I write this, my heart goes out to his parents. I wish them peace and the ability to find solace in the fact that they were blessed for 18 beautiful months with this baby.

    Bernews will you be posting the name of the daycare facility if his death is found to be their fault? I think parents deserve a right to know as there are some very questionable facilities on the island. I have removed my baby from 2 of them because of what I found out during unexpected drop in visits.

    • Sadness says:

      once the autopsy report comes back im sure the nursery will be named. But one can not assume that this was the nursury’s fault. By no means, this could be a separate incident or sudden death due to unknown complications, or a defect that was never discovered, but could nave been repevented if the doctors told the couple. Dont ASSUME it was the nursury’s fault. Now if it was then they will be charged with neglect or other serious crimes.

      But your just stupid enough to believe that the nursey was at fault, so you have a reason to gossip about the facility and who runs it. By all rights, the nursey should be protected from people like you who are jumping the band wagon and going with little intelligence about the matter. For all we know, it could be a reputable nursey, who are hard to get in every year, with a strong clientel and has superb business and running of the facilities.

      • condolences says:

        Maybe before jumping to conclusions yourself, you should actually read in full what smh posted. They asked if the nursery would be named IF they were found to be at fault. They did not jump to the conclusion that it IS at fault.

        My deepest condolences to the family during this terrible time

  5. it is what it is says:

    I too was saddened when I heard the news..Such a handsome, sweet fellow. If the daycare facility is at fault than yes they should be named. My prayers go out to the young couple. I could only imagine the sadness and heartbreak that you are experiencing. May you be comforted and find peace and solace during this trying time

  6. Elvie says:

    My Heart is heavy, My Prayers are with the both of you at this time…….And also his Grandprarents and sister, who also has so much love for this sweet little one….Gods little Angel, May you rest in peace….

  7. CAT says:

    WOW!!! This is very sad! My condolences to the family

  8. Going to miss you lil man says:

    My heart, condolences and love are going out to my family at this time. To his parents and sister I love you guys, may God continue to cover you through all of this. To the rest of my family continue to support each other… He was the sweetest baby always made me smile always full of joy…R.I.P lil man.

  9. freddyg says:

    GOD BLESS THIS FAMILY, YOUR IN MY PRAYERS !!!

  10. Back to Life says:

    My sincerest condolences to the family of this young child. So so sad!

  11. LaPersh says:

    This is heart breaking my heart is so heavy
    I sit and look at my 2yr old an just can’t
    Imagine what I would go through if this happened to
    Him may God bring you peace… GOD BLESS THIS FAMIlY

  12. Mbaya Avunaye says:

    My heart is burdened for all those involved. Parents love your children, shower them with hugs and kisses they are God’s gift to us.

  13. Sai says:

    This is very Heart breaking. My sincerest condolences go out to the family of this precious little one. I can’t begin to know what you are going through but as a mother I feel your pain. Take comfort in the father.

  14. sheez says:

    I just dropped my 7 month old son at the baby sitter and she gave me the news. It was so hard to leave him there and walk out. It was heartbreaking! No matter who is at fault – the fact remains that a child was taken away from his parents and no one should have to go through this pain and heartache. My prayers and well wishes to the family and loved ones of the little boy. I believe that the details of the case needs to be public information so that other parents like me can be more aware, careful and watchful. I am sure, no one, including the parents of this li’l boy wants another family to feel the same pain. God bless the family and friends of this sweet little angel!

  15. sad to see says:

    MAy GOD be with you all it hard to lose someone so young and sweet , Keep the faith he will help you all threw this our deepest condolences to the family RIP little one

  16. God Sees All says:

    God Be With The Family. This is so sad, To lose a child must be one of the hardest things to go through. Nothing Anyone says can really put your heart at ease. Stay strong and God Bless

  17. Heart Breaking says:

    My heart felt condolences to the family. I actully know who the sitter is and I took my child out after 2 months cause I felt she wasnt doing what a sitter was supposed to be doing and I have my reasons. Not to say she was at fault but I pray that the family get answers of what happened to their baby boy. May the lord hold you close to him and comfort you.. Keeping you in my prayers…..

    • Sam says:

      @Heart Breaking: I think a LOT of parents would appreciate it and be very thankful if you shared what you abt the sitter and what your reasons were to take your child out. We are new to town and are looking for a sitter for our 4 month old. We are new parents and I have a feeling I might not have as good instincts as many experienced mothers.

      • jaded says:

        For Sam – in my quest for childcare I have met with over 25 caregivers/daycare centres. I can’t give you their names but I can tell you the reasons why I chose not to use them so you can get an idea of what things to look for:

        - two of them were obviously high
        - one used recalled drop-side cribs
        - many did not have fire extinguishers or smoke detectors
        - one had 6 playpens in a tiny non-airconditioned room (in summer)
        - at one, a small child answered the door and the caregiver was nowhere to be found. turns out she was behind a closed door and it wasn’t the bathroom.
        - one had a about a dozen wasps flying around the outdoor play area
        - no cpr/first aid certifications for over 50% of them
        - one had a child in the bathroom in a bathtub unattended while she was doing dishes
        - one nursery had 10 babies alone in a room and the owner could not locate the teacher for over 20 mins
        - one said we could not enter the home, we had to drop off our child at the door and pick them up there and we were not allowed to drop in unannounced (scary)
        - at one, the children were obviously afraid of her
        - a few had unsafe furniture
        - one had quite a few teenagers (who did not reside there) running in and out of the home
        - i asked one if there would be outside people in the home and she told me different members of her family came by every day to visit her
        - some talked only about money and vacation days and had nothing to say about what they would do for your child
        - one said she was doing it for over 20 years but when we asked for references, she refused to give us any saying she did not want us to disturb the parents
        - when i refused one on the spot, she told me she knew all the other caregivers living in Smiths and would call them and tell them not to accept our child (sigh)

        Please do your homework and take your time even if it means going outside your parish, remember you are hiring them to do the most important job in your child’s life. Hope this helps.

        • Skeptical says:

          I know where you were coming from. I went to several places and at one the TV was blaring with the afternoon soaps on, the teenage daughter had big hickeys all over her neck…..judgemental, yes I was but my gut instinct told me this was not the place for me. I found a lovely older Portuguese/Bermudian lady who was wonderful and so loving to my child. I could drop her off and know the day would be filled with educational activities and first class caring. The next child I sacrificed and spent lots of money to get a work permit for an English nanny who was absolutely wonderful and again I could go to work and know that all my child’s needs were being met. Cost a bundle and I had to go without some things but what a great start to my child’s life!

      • Pirsig says:

        @Sam,

        Can you please email me at ms30082@gmail.com

        I’m looking for a nanny for my 7 month old daughter as well. Maybe we can share a few ideas? Thanks.

      • bestisland says:

        Sam

        We removed our child from one (will find the name) because we found out the husband was there during the day. I know it is his house and not saying he would have done anything, but why take the risk

    • concerned in bermuda says:

      @heart breaking.. please let everyone know who this person is.. there are too many home care systems that parents use blindly.. i know i had gone to several that were on the government list and i was apalled by what i saw there..it breaks my heart that this could happen to anyone.. to the parents, my heartfelt condolences and prayers, may god get you through this…

      • Um just sayin says:

        @ Heart Breaking: Please do not reveal the name of the sitter at this time until such time that the results of the autopsy prove this was indeed a negligent act of the sitter. This may not be the sitters fault at all even though you had reasons to remove your child. This could very well be a case of a pre-existing condition of the baby or some other medical condition that may not have been detected. DO NOT INCRIMINATE SOMEONE BEFORE YOU KNOW ALL THE FACTS.

        I know of a case years ago where the parents dropped their child off to a sitter and within hours that child had died. It ended up being a crib death and had nothing to do with the sitter at all.

        MAY GOD BLESS THIS FAMILY

    • Sam says:

      I think a LOT of parents would appreciate it and be very thankful if you shared what you abt the sitter and what your reasons were to take your child out. We are new to town and are looking for a sitter for our 4 month old. We are new parents and I have a feeling I might not have as good instincts as many experienced mothers.

    • Pirsig says:

      Please share any information you have on this sitter and your reasons for taking your child out. We would really appreciate it.

      • Emeka47 says:

        If you ppl want justice to be served, may I suggest NOT NAMING ANYONE. The court will then dismiss the case (if that where this is going) because of all this “Gossip and WHO WAS IT” Let the justice system do their job ( for whatever that is worth……..)

  18. My heartfelt condolences and sympathy goes out to the parents of such a great loss. I 100% agree that the name of the daycare should be public if it was a fault of theirs, in fact if anyone has factual reasons why any daycare on the island should not be in operation then it should be made public knowledge. I am currently looking for daycare for my 12 month old and this terrifies me.

  19. Lee G says:

    I removed my son from a daycare facility after ten days only as he suffered a bump on the head, a large scratch and a swollen eye. after investigating I found 3 other women who had the exact same problems and were in the midst of court cases to try and get money back. She still owes me $1100. After reporting her to social services and being promised these matters were taken seriously, nothing happened I contacted health visitors my doctors surgery and other women complained to social services and nothing was don. Last year a child in her care had to be flown of the island with shaken baby syndrome and it was the parents who were investigated myself and other parents gave statements of our experiences to help with the court case. I AM DISGUSTED that to this day this woman is still a government registered childcarer to all parents please check out http://www.weecare bermuda and read feedback on individual childcare providers. I dont know what has to be done to stop this woman from taking care of children, We have contacted Social services on sereral occasions any ideas what to do?

  20. Beth says:

    My heart goes out to all the parents in Bermuda trying to find good care for their children, and who now must be even more terrified. There are definitely great caregivers in Bermuda, but they are so hard to find. I interviewed at least 10 (too many children, unsafe conditions, TV on constantly even when we were interviewing, unclean facilities… I can go on…) and tried 1 (who had her husband build a “safe play area” for my baby out of wood, like a large playpen, and wanted to leave him in it while she cleaned, then was mad that my baby cried all the time). We ended up with a wonderful loving Portugese woman who was willing to hold my son as long as she needed to. He stopped crying after the first day. Then when he was a little older, we were so lucky that our neighbor (English) had a spot. She did all kinds of educational activities, outings, outside play time, crafts with the children. What a relief. Keep looking until you find the right person. Try trading childcare with friends until you find the right caregiver!

  21. CandyApple says:

    My heart goes out to the family and caregiver. Let justice to served…