NT Police continue to investigate toddler’s death after medical incident at Humpty Doo childcare centre

NT Police remain tight-lipped over a seven-day investigation into the death of a two-year-old girl following a daycare incident.

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

An investigation into the death of a toddler continues a week after a two-year-old girl suffered a serious medical incident at a Darwin childcare centre.

NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy confirmed the investigation was ongoing more than seven days after police, fire crews and paramedics were called to the Humpty Doo Community and Child Care Centre on Thursday.

A two-year-old girl died two days later at Royal Darwin Hospital.

In the first public police statement since this publication exposed the two-year-old’s unexpected death, Mr Murphy said it was “not unusual” for a non-suspicious fatality to be under investigation for more than a week.

NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy confirmed that the Humpty Doo childcare centre investigation was ongoing. Photo by PEMA TAMANG PAKHRIN

Mr Murphy would not reveal any lines of inquiry detectives were looking into, or any additional details about the fatal incident.

“There’s still a number of pathways underway, including medical expertise, it’s too early to say,” he said.

Parents have raised concerns over the lack of transparency surrounding the incident, but Mr Murphy said more information would be released once a report was prepared for the coroner.

“If we can and when we can, we’ll probably provide some more messaging … to allay any fears,” he said.

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

He said as a father he understood the stress parents were experiencing, but emphasised that childcare centres had to meet “pretty strict reporting guidelines”.

“There are a lot of people committed to providing love, care and support for young kids while their families go to work. So I’d say that they’re in good hands,” he said.

“It’s a tragic incident, for any loss of life, but especially such a young life.

“Obviously our thoughts are with the family …(and) all the people from the centre and the staff.”