Investigators are seeking to find out the truth of what happened to an 11-month-old girl found in the carpark of Kingsway Christian College in the northern Perth suburb of Darch.
What has been gathered so far is that the mother was picking up one of her older children at a childcare facility based at Kingsway Christian College.
She would go on to find her child lifeless in the back of her car.
Police are figuring out whether the girl’s mother left the child in her car for an extended period of time before arriving at the college.
Paramedics were called around 5.45 pm on Wednesday, with Major Crime detectives quickly arriving after.
Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said the baby’s 39-year-old mother had found the child unresponsive and immediately went to seek help.
“The mother of the girl had taken her inside a building at the school to seek assistance, after finding her unresponsive in her vehicle,” police said.
“Members of the public who were at the school attempted CPR prior to the arrival of St John’s Ambulance (SJA).
“SJA also made further attempts to resuscitate the girl, however, she was pronounced deceased a short time later.”
Dawson went on to say the horrific incident was a “very tragic event”.
He also told reporters that the girl’s family were being provided with support, a family chaplain and counselling.
“I don’t think we really need to try and imagine the absolute tragedy that has taken place here,” he said.
“We’ve spoken to both parents…and we are offering as much support as possible.”
The school continued to remain closed for the holidays, however the childcare facility was open and operating separately.
On Thursday Kingsway Christian College principal Peter Burton released a statement about the tragedy.
“Words cannot begin to express the depth of sadness we feel as a result of what, at this time, appears to be the accidental death late yesterday afternoon of an 11-month- old child,” the statement read.
“Given that a formal investigation is being conducted, the College is unable to provide any additional detail to what has been provided by the police.
“While Kingsway After School Care is situated on our campus, it operates completely independently of the College.
“Nevertheless, we are doing everything we can to provide pastoral support to the centre staff and parents who are understandably distraught about this terrible incident.
“This includes some parents of our school community whose children attend the after school care centre.
“Above all else, our prayers go out to the loved ones of the child so tragically lost.
“While respecting their privacy, we will continue to offer our utmost support to them as well as our full cooperation, as required, with the police investigation of this most awful of circumstances.”
Dawson says the investigation is still ongoing but that it will be: “conducted carefully, thoroughly and with sensitivity.”
No charges have been laid.
