Humpty Doo childcare death: Read the tragic letter sent to worried parents after medics lose desperate fight to save the life of dying toddler – as mums slam official silence: ‘Heartbreaking that a child never came home’
Shocked parents have revealed how police and paramedics fought for 20 minutes to save the life of a toddler in a daycare before she died two days later.
The two-year-old girl had a ‘medical episode’ – believed to be a choking incident – last Thursday at the Humpty Doo Child Care Centre, 40 kilometers south-east of Darwin in the Northern Territory.
Emergency services performed CPR at the site before taking her to a nearby medical center where lifesaving work continued, locals said.
The youngster was then rushed to Royal Darwin Hospital but staff were unable to save her and she died on Saturday.
Police have now launched an investigation, but the official silence surrounding the tragedy has left the parents of the daycare children frustrated and angry.
Many have kept their children away from the center as the official investigation continues – and on Tuesday only 30 attended in a center that can hold up to 116 toddlers.
“It’s very worrying and devastating,” one mother told Daily Mail Australia. “It is heartbreaking to know that a child has been dropped off and ultimately never returned home.
The two-year-old girl had a ‘medical episode’ – believed to be a choking incident – at the Humpty Doo Child Care Center (pictured), 40 km south-east of Darwin in the Northern Territory.
Many parents have now kept their children away from the center – which can accommodate up to 116 toddlers – as official inquiries continue, with only about 30 reported yesterday.
“No parent would think it would be the last time they dropped their child off at daycare.
‘It will all work out eventually, but not soon enough for the parents. We kept our girl home today and many more went missing from her group yesterday.
“We respect that the family needs privacy, but the whispers from the Chinese about what happened are creating more fear.”
Parents have been given few details about the incident. Three text messages have been sent through the center’s app to update them.
“The first email only said that an incident had occurred,” the mother revealed. “The second said there was an investigation going on and they couldn’t go into further detail.
“Then on Monday, the last message said that the little girl had died on Saturday, that an investigation was ongoing and that due to the privacy of the family involved, they can’t say more.”
The center’s latest message told parents: ‘I hope this message will touch you and your family well during these difficult times.
“We are deeply saddened to inform you that the little girl who required medical attention at RDH (Royal Darwin Hospital) following Thursday’s incident tragically passed away this weekend.
“Our hearts are heavy and our thoughts are with the family and friends at this time.
“As this is still under investigation and with respect to the family, we are still limited in what can be shared and appreciate the stress and worry this can cause.
“The center will continue to operate normally at this time unless circumstances change. We will notify you of this.’
Parents say they’ve been given few details about the incident, with just three emails (the latest pictured) via the center’s app updating them since the tragedy unfolded
One mother added: ‘I really hope the daycare did everything they could to not contribute to that poor child’s death.
“Some kind of acknowledgment of what happened, without too many details, can put parents’ minds at ease. I understand due process, but saying nothing won’t help.’
The non-profit childcare center is run by local parents with annual revenues of $3 million and an annual wage bill of over $2.3 million for the mom-and-pop staff.
Some parents claim there has been a recent deterioration in care standards at the center and claim that children as young as two are rinsed with cold water when they are changed.
“They’ve become lax with the coverage of a children’s day,” says one parent. “They used to list meals eaten and how much, diaper or toilet activity and sleep times, as well as photos.
“But they haven’t done that in a few months. They say they don’t have enough working equipment or staff to do this. It’s frustrating because you have to know these things.”
They added: ‘They have maybe three or four toilets for over 40 children, and even more if you count the younger group.
“They use a cold hose to rinse and change the kids… which seemed a bit extreme to me. Most of the year it is good, but in June/July it gets cold here.
“It reminds me of Humpty Doo, maybe twenty years ago, but it’s insane these days.”
The baby boy was rushed to Royal Darwin Hospital (pictured) but staff were unable to save her and she died on Saturday
NT Education Minister Eva Lawler added her own message of condolences to the dead toddler’s family in a social media post.
“My deepest condolences to the family and the Humpty Doo Child Care community on the tragic news of the passing of your beautiful little girl last weekend,” she wrote on Facebook.
‘My heart breaks for you. What a sadness.’
Her office stressed that all parents involved in the center’s staffing are adequately trained to work in childcare.
“The center is run by a parent committee,” a spokesman for the minister told Daily Mail Australia.
“All parents are and must be fully qualified by federal standards. These standards fall under the QECNT.
“The Humpty Doo Child Care Center is not under NT Gov/NT Education.”
They also defended the lack of information about the tragedy, despite concerns from other parents.
“A corona investigation into the tragic event of this poor young girl is ongoing, we respect that process,” the spokesperson added.
“We are offering space and time to this family as this tragic, life-changing event has just happened.”
NT police confirmed the matter was under investigation, but said the death did not appear suspicious.
A spokesman added: “A report will be prepared for the coroner.”