The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU) says it is investigating the unexpected death of a child that occurred in Tofino last week.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, RCMP note that officers responded to a report on Dec. 13 that a child had suffered injuries on the Tyhistanis Reserve and was in need of medical assistance.
Tofino RCMP officers, along with BC Ambulance, responded to the emergency call at the time.
Police say that three days later, on Wednesday, Dec. 16, the child succumbed to their injuries.
An investigation was initially launched by Tofino RCMP but has since been taken over by Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit.
Very few details surrounding the incident have been released to the public at this time.
This is a tragic situation affecting many people in the community, including family, friends, first responders and medical personnel
Superintendent Sanjaya Wijayakoon, BC RCMP Major Crimes Section Operations Officer This investigation is in its preliminary stages and is expected to be a long, thorough and involved process involving many agencies including BC Coroners service.
RCMP say that other children from the residence where the incident occurred have been temporarily placed in other locations while the investigation is underway.
“The BC Coroners Service is also conducting a concurrent fact-finding investigation into this unexpected death,” adds the RCMP.
Police note that due to the privacy of the deceased, under the Coroners Act, the deceased’s name will not be released.
The RCMP and the BC Coroners Service have no further information for release at this time.
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