GoFundMe launched for mother who lost two-year-old in tragic dam drowning

The mother of a two-year-old who tragically died in Victoria has revealed the unthinkable moment she realised something was wrong.

Aleece Shearer remembers her daughter Mackenzie as “a beautiful little cowgirl” who “just lit up a room”.

On Sunday morning, the two-year-old tragically drowned in a dam near Whroo located about 160 kilometres north of Melbourne.

The pair had gone to the rural property to feed animals before heading to the markets. Mackenzie was playing in a secure, fenced area under her mother’s watch but the unthinkable unfolded as Ms Shearer tended to chickens.

Little Mackenzie had vanished.

She was found unconscious a few minutes later in a dam on a neighbouring property, having somehow climbed a six-foot animal fence. Despite frantic efforts to save her, she tragically died at the scene.

The mother of a two-year-old who tragically drowned in a dam has revealed the unthinkable moment she realised something was wrong. Picture: GoFundMe

“She was just obsessed with her ponies and Bluey and just absolutely loved animals,” Shearer told Channel 7.

“She was a wild child … a typical cowgirl,” always dressed in boots and a hat, always the centre of attention. Passersbys would stop to comment on her outfit and smile.

Ms Shearer said no more than four minutes passed from when she last stood next to her daughter.

Ms Shearer said no more than four minutes passed from when she last stood next to her daughter.

“She was being watched. She has gone through multiple fences in four minutes,” she said. “She hasn’t gone through a gate — she has climbed over a fence that hundreds of kids have been secure behind. It’s six-feet high — it’s camel fences to keep out animals — she has gotten through that. It’s more secure than pool fencing.”

Aleece Shearer says Mackenzie had somehow climbed a six-foot high fence. Picture: GoFundMe

Ms Shearer has been devastated not only by the loss but by cruel online comments questioning whether Mackenzie was supervised.

“She was. And I used to be one of those people who’d say ‘how could that happen?’ I’m living the proof now,” she said.

A friend has since launched a GoFundMe to help Ms Shearer farewell her daughter.

Locals are being asked to pay tribute with Bluey toys, sunflowers, and small toy horses.

“She needs to be remembered for the beautiful little cowgirl that she is,” Ms Shearer said. “You wouldn’t have found a more loved and cared for girl. She was our world. Our 24/7 world.”

Originally published as GoFundMe launched for mother who lost two-year-old in tragic dam drowning