NT Coroner considers public inquest into the death of a 22-month-old girl in a Top End childcare centre

The death of a toddler at a childcare centre on the fringes of Darwin remains under investigation 12 months after the tragedy shook the Territory.

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

A fatal medical incident at a childcare centre on the fringes of Darwin remains under investigation 12 months after the horrific death of a baby girl shook the Northern Territory.

The NT Coroner’s office has confirmed the death of a 22-month old girl following a medical incident at a Humpty Doo last year was being considered for a public coronial inquiry.

“The matter is still under investigation but the Coroner is aware of it and considering listing it for an inquest in 2025,” a NT Court spokesman said.

The scope and issues for the potential coronial inquest remain unknown at this stage.

The Humpty Doo Community and Child Care centre where a girl had a medical incident leading to her death. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The 22-month old girl, who the NT News has chosen not to name, was rushed to hospital in a critical condition after suffering a medical incident at the Humpty Doo Community and Child Care centre last year.

The baby girl died two days later on September 2, 2023.

Just 45 days before what was meant to be her second birthday, the toddler’s family and loved ones instead held her funeral.

At the time, police confirmed the unexpected death was “non-suspicious”, with Police Commissioner Michael Murphy stating more information would be provided after the investigation was sent to the coroner “to allay any fears” for parents.

NT Police this week confirmed its report into the childcare centre death had been completed and was before the coroner, but declined to provide further details.

The early childhood education regulator, Quality Education and Care NT, said its own investigation into the incident was ongoing, alongside continuous monitoring of the centre.

“QECNT has maintained communication with NT Police and the Coroner’s office and awaited confirmation of the completion of their investigation before commencing further investigation into any possible breaches of the Education and Care Services National Law,” an Education Department spokeswoman said.

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

She said the Humpty Doo Community and Child Care Centre Inc. was aware and was assisting with the process, while QECNT said it also maintained communication with the child’s family, NT WorkSafe and Police.

NT WorkSafe said its investigation into the death of the child did not determine any breaches of the Northern Territory’s work health and safety laws from the evidence at hand.

“No further action will be taken by NT WorkSafe at this point in time,” a spokesman said.

He said the report would not be published as the watchdog’s findings may be reviewed on the coroner’s request or if new evidence was presented to the regulator.

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

Humpty Doo Community and Child Care Centre was contacted, but did not wish to make a statement.

The community childcare centre looks after up to 116 children aged from four months to five-years-old, according to its website.

The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority said the Humpty Doo centre was meeting the national quality standards when it was last evaluated in November 2020.