Investigation after girl, 2, dies after incident at Humpty Doo Community and Child Care Centre

A Top End community is reeling after the sudden death of a toddler after an incident at a childcare centre, which is now the subject of a police investigation.

The Humpty Doo childcare where a girl had a medical incident leading to her death. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Investigations are under way into the death of a toddler at a rural childcare centre, just outside Darwin.

The two-year-old girl had a serious medical incident at a Humpty Doo childcare centre on Thursday.

She died two days later at the Royal Darwin Hospital on Saturday.

A St John NT spokesman said crews attended an incident at the childcare centre on Thursday.

“The patient was transported to Royal Darwin Hospital in a critical condition,” he said.

An NT Police spokesman confirmed they were investigating the “unexpected death of a toddler” in Darwin on Saturday.

In messages to parents obtained by this publication the Humpty Doo Community and Child Care Centre Inc confirmed that emergency services were called to the centre after a child “required medical assistance”.

The Humpty Doo childcare where a girl had a medical incident leading to her death. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“We can assure families there is no identifiable risk to any children in the service,” it said on Thursday.

“We want to reassure families that the safety of their children is always our highest priority.”

On Monday, the centre confirmed to parents that the little girl had “tragically passed away over the weekend”.

“Our hearts are heavy, and our thoughts are with the family and friends at this time,” it said.

The Humpty Doo Community and Child Care Centre said the incident was still under investigation.

“We are still limited in what can be shared and appreciate the stress and worry this may cause.”

A Humpty Doo Community and Child Care Centre Inc staff member said they had been advised not to comment further at this stage.

The Humpty Doo childcare where a girl had a medical incident leading to her death. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The centre remains open as of Tuesday.

A mother, who wished to remain anonymous, said the lack of information from the Humpty Doo centre was “disappointing” and made her question sending her child there.

“I can’t imagine what that family is going through,” the Humpty Doo mum said. 

“When you hand over your child to a childcare centre, you’re trusting them with their life.

“The last thing you imagine is getting a call that your baby isn’t coming home.”

She was aware of another mother who had pulled their child out of the centre until more answers were provided.

“All we’re hearing all this from rumours,” she said.

“I’m hoping to get some transparency from the centre about what happened.”

Humpty Doo Tavern bottle-shop worker Alex Hyde. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Humpty Doo Tavern bottle-shop worker Alex Hyde said there were three ambulances, two police cars and a fire truck at a childcare centre when he arrived at work at 10am on Thursday.

Mr Hyde said the emergency services remained at the scene for about 30 minutes.

“I was worried it was one of our regulars, but when I heard the news it was so much worse,” he said.

He said news spread quickly through the small Humpty Doo Shopping Centre community, with a few workers leaving their kids with the early learning centre just across the road.

The Humpty Doo childcare where a girl had a medical incident leading to her death. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Mr Hyde said the child was initially taken to the Humpty Doo Family Practice, which is just across the road from the childcare centre.

A staff member from the clinic said she was unable to comment due to privacy laws.

NT Health also said it was unable to provide further information.

Acting Chief Minister Nicole Manison said the incident was “a parent’s worst nightmare”.

“My heart goes out to the family that have lost their beautiful child,” Ms Manison said.

“It’s not just that family and their friends, it’s a whole community there.

“I just want to send my deep, heartfelt sympathy out to the family.”

A NT Education spokesman said the department was alerted to her death within 24-hours, and would be following the investigations by both police and the coroner.

“We will look at the results of what comes out of the coronial,” he said.

“Of course the department would consider any recommendations.”

Ms Manison would not be drawn to confirming whether the department would conduct its own inquiry in the meantime.

“This is a matter that police do their part of their job as well as the coroner,” she said.

“The appropriate responses have been put in place in this very difficult and sad time.”

The community childcare centre is managed by volunteer parent members and looks after up to 116 children aged from four months to five-years-old, according to its website.

“The PMC (Parent Management Committee) work in partnership with the Director to maintain quality care and education, they also ensure the Centre remains viable and compliant with national laws and regulations,” it said.

Originally published as Investigation after girl, 2, dies after incident at Humpty Doo Community and Child Care Centre