Child found in critical condition on bus at Le Smileys Early Learning Centre on Lucas Street in Gracemere

A little girl critcally injured when she was left on a bus by a Central Queensland childcare centre bus is now breathing on her own.

Little Nevaeh has made a breakthrough and is now breathing on her own, her grandmother has told Channel 9.

A childcare worker preparing to do the afternoon school pick up run was the one who made the grim discovery of “forgotten” three-year-old Nevaeh, unresponsive and still strapped into her car seat.

Nevaeh had been picked up from a Gracemere home by the Le Smileys Early Learning Centre staff in the centre’s van around 9am on Wednesday morning, police allege.

She was the only child to be picked up on that particular run and two workers – a female driver and another worker – were on the bus with her, police allege.

The van arrived at the centre and for reasons unknown, Nevaeh remained on the bus, with her school bag and belongings, and was not discovered until shortly before 3pm.

She was unconscious and was taken into the centre where staff began CPR and emergency services were called.

Paramedics rushed her to Rockhampton Hospital in a critical condition and she was flown to Queensland Children’s Hospital on Wednesday night.

Nevaeh ‘s grandmother Pam told Channel 9 that Nevaeh was given a five per cent chance of surviving on Wednesday night.

But there had been improvement.

“I spoke to Nevaeh, she’s good,” she said.

“I’m thankful my granddaughter has pulled through but what this must be doing to her, I can’t even imagine.”

Around 3.40pm on Thursday afternoon, Queensland Children’s Hospital confirmed Nevaeh was still in ICU and had improved to a stable condition.

The Courier-Mail was the first media to speak to Neveah’s family following the incident however the next day, police asked media, on behalf of the family, to refrain from contacting the family.

Three-year-old Nevaeh was unresponsive when found on the bus.

Her father, Shane Austin, told this publication on the night of the incident Nevaeh she had to undergo a deep brain scan and her kidney was failing.

“She’s the most loudest little girl they tell me … she’s the heart of the daycare,” Mr Austin said.

On Thursday morning, police outlined the latest developments in the investigation, which has now been dubbed Operation Uniform Caprock.

No charges have been laid.

“Approximately 3pm yesterday afternoon (Wednesday May 4) police were notified in relation to a three year old female child that had been left unattended in an early learning centre bus,” Capricornia District Detective Inspector Darrin Shadlow said.

Det Insp Shadlow confirmed she was the only child on the bus at the time.

Mr Austin said Nevaeh had been picked up from his partner’s house in Gracemere.

“When they (the staff) returned to the centre, the driver and one other person who were in the bus at the time have forgotten that she was there,” Det Insp Shadlow.

Multiple police officers, including officers from the Crime Intelligence Command in the Child Trauma Unit in Brisbane, attended the scene and began investigations which are still continuing.

“We also have photographics and our scientific forensic officers attending the scene, just so we can cover bases and get to the bottom of exactly what has happened,” Det Insp Shadlow said.

“We will leave no stone unturned.”

Det Insp Shadlow said Nevaeh was located in the second row of the back of the van and had her bag with her at the time.

The van was parked at the front of the centre entrance, next to the gate where parents and staff enter the centre.

When asked how Nevaeh was not seen or heard by centre staff, given the proximity of the van to the building, Det Insp Shadlow said that was going to form part of the investigation “as to who was coming and going from the centre at the time and how long she was left in there”.

Police will work with the Department of Education, which is the regulatory body for childcare centres in Queensland.

“It would appear that there were some breaches of policy and a young child is fighting for their life in a Brisbane hospital at the moment,” Det Insp Shadlow alleged.

“We all pray for a full recovery for Nevaeh.”

The bus and child care centre have been declared a crime scene and the centre will not be able to operate until police release the crime scene.

Centre owner, Michelle O’Rourke, who was not one of the workers on the bus, advised parents the centre would be closed for the week and transportation had ceased entirely.

“I apologise to families for the inconvenience however, Le Smileys Early Learning Centre will no longer be providing transportation in any form, from this point forward,” she wrote.

Det Insp Shadlow said the owners were co-operating with police.

“We have spoken to the workers and the centre operators,” she said.

“They (the owners) have sought some legal advice and will be going down that path.”

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland have advised they aware of the incident and are making inquiries, with the QPS Child Protection Investigation Unit the lead agency.

Police inspecting a bag at Gracemere's Le Smileys Early Learning Centre on Lucas Street where a three-year-old was discovered left inside the bus late Wednesday afternoon, May 4, 2022.

Speaking from the scene of the Gracemere incident on Wednesday afternoon, Queensland Ambulance Service Central Region operations manager Jason Thompson described the situation as traumatic.

“QAS was called to a childcare centre in Gracemere where a three-year-old child was unresponsive. On the crew’s arrival Queensland Police were already on scene and escorted the crew into the childcare centre where the young child was on the floor in the admin area,” Mr Thompson said.

Mr Thompson said the girl did not need to be intubated but remained in a critical but stable condition at hospital with her parents.

“The child was unconscious at the start and they gave (her) some treatment just reviving them, they didn’t have to intubate the young child. Once they had a good airway they transported her. “

Police at the Le Smileys Childcare Centre in Gracemere where a child was found in critical condition on a parked bus, Gracemere – Photo Steve Vit

Mr Thompson said the situation was traumatic for all involved, including emergency services and centre staff.

“I get goosebumps just as I speak about it now,” he said.

‘My heart goes out to the child’

Minister for Education, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing Grace Grace released a statement on Thursday afternoon stating her heart goes out to the child in Gracemere who is fighting for her life.

“My thoughts are also with her family, friends and the entire Gracemere community” she said.

“I am confident I speak for all Queenslanders when I say we are wishing her a full and speedy recovery.

“This simply should not have happened.

“Families need to have peace of mind that when they send their children off to school, kindy or day care, they will come home safe.

“The Queensland Police Service is investigating the incident.

“My department, as the Regulatory Authority, is working closely with the QPS to ensure we gather all of the facts surrounding this tragic event.

“The Regulatory Authority does not hesitate to take serious action when services fail to ensure children’s health and safety, and where other tragic incidents have occurred, the necessary action has been taken.”

‘This shouldn’t have happened’

As the community comes to terms with the shocking incident, Keppel MP and Assistant Minister for Education Brittany Lauga has declared there will be a full inquiry into the matter.

“Tonight is a little girl in Gracemere who is fighting for her life in hospital after being allegedly left on a bus at daycare,” Ms Lauga said in a post on social media on Wednesday night.

“This simply shouldn’t have happened.

“I know this little girl is very much in the thoughts of all of us tonight, wishing for a full recovery. My thoughts are with this little girl’s family and friends.

“Thank you to the first responders who continue to work to save her.

“Families need to have peace of mind that when they send their children off to school, kindy or daycare, they will come home safe.

“I understand the Queensland Police Service is the lead agency and the Department of Education as the regulator for early childhood services in Queensland will continue to assist them as necessary.

“We don’t yet know the full circumstances of what has occurred but of course there will be a full inquiry.”