Latest news with #toddler
CBS News
5 hours ago
- CBS News
Colorado fire and EMS explain trauma response for first responders after tragic toddler death
In the wake of a toddler's tragic death near Willow Grove Open Space in the Colorado Town of Silverthorne, the profound sense of grief is extending beyond the family to the emergency responders who searched for the child and the community now grappling with a loss in its own backyard. While the Summit County Coroner's Office has not yet released details surrounding the death of the one-and-a-half-year-old boy, the emotional impact of the call is weighing heavily on the multiple law enforcement agencies, emergency medical responders and firefighting organizations that responded. "This is a type of incident that, even people who are not connected to what happened, you feel it in the pit of your stomach," said Steve Lipsher, Community Resource Officer for Summit Fire & EMS, one of the many agencies that assisted in the search. "It's a horrible tragedy that you wouldn't wish on anybody." The toddler was reported missing shortly before 4 p.m. Tuesday along the Blue River Trail. A massive search effort was launched, but about two hours later, the Town of Silverthorne announced the child had been found dead. "You feel a profound sense of sadness for the family, for that little kid," Lipsher said. While the family is obviously hit hardest by something like this, Lipsher explains that when you have that many people out looking for a child like that, many locals are experiencing what he calls "second-hand trauma." For the emergency crews on scene, the incident is a sharp and painful reminder of the emotional toll of their work. "It hurts us," Lipsher said. "We're empathetic people by nature." He said his agency has robust internal support systems to help personnel process such traumatic events, including crew debriefs and an internal peer support team. Tuesday night, they had one of those crew debriefs. Lipsher said this reflects a significant cultural shift away from the historical expectation for responders to simply "tough it out." "For the longest time, for centuries, there was the image of the big tough rescuer, hero, first responder," he said. "And the culture was that you tough it out. Bottle it up, swallow it, don't worry about it. Unfortunately, the psychologists will tell you that probably had a very deleterious effect on people." Trauma in first responders can manifest in numerous ways, including PTSD. The modern approach Summit Fire and EMS takes is to encourage responders to talk through the trauma, or at least sit with those who are going through it together, though Lipsher acknowledged it's not always easy. "We don't want people holding things inside that are going to eat at them and weigh heavily on their psyches," he said, adding a somber reality, "Although some of that is going to be inevitable just by the exposure to what they see." The official investigation into the child's disappearance and death remains ongoing. Authorities have not officially identified the child or the family.
CBC
11 hours ago
- CBC
Calgary parents get 6-year sentence after toddler dies from scalding water in diaper
A Calgary mother and father who pleaded guilty to manslaughter after leaving their toddler sitting in a diaper of scalding hot water have each been sentenced to six years in prison. "Their actions indicate a wanton disregard for the safety of Gabriel," Justice Glen Poelman of Court of King's Bench said Wednesday at the sentencing of Michael Sinclair and Sonya Pasqua. "The circumstances of the event are extremely grave," Poelman added, as Sinclair looked at the floor and Pasqua cried softly. Sinclair was given roughly 3 1/2 years credit for time already served in custody, while Pasqua received about 1 1/2 years credit. Before sentencing, the parents told court they're extremely sorry and heartbroken over the death of their 18-month old son in 2021. "I miss Gabriel," a sobbing Pasqua told court. "I am sorry. Nothing will take away the pain of the loss of my son. I failed. I just love my kids so much. "I have to live with this forever." Sinclair said, "I am sorry to everyone who is involved in this tragedy. I loved my son unconditionally. To this day I don't know why I didn't have the courage to call an ambulance." Court heard the child received head trauma and was scalded, with the burns covering a third of his body, after he was left to sit in a diaper containing the steaming water. A pediatric surgeon earlier told court the scalding was so severe the boy should have received immediate care, but the parents didn't seek help and tried to treat the burns with honey. The Crown had asked for a sentence of eight to 12 years in prison, while defence lawyers requested three and five years. Crown prosecutor Vicki Faulkner had described the crime as at the highest end of moral culpability and said the parents saw the boy as a paycheque. Court heard the boy was taken social services as a newborn after his mother tested positive for cocaine, alcohol and marijuana. He was placed in a loving home with his great-uncle, Gerry Bakoway, but was returned to his biological parents months before he died. Court heard the boy died of blunt force head trauma and the untreated burns that led to sepsis. Family members sat quietly throughout the sentencing, wearing orange T-shirts with Gabriel's name and photo. Outside court, Bakoway told reporters he believes the apologies from his niece and her husband were sincere. "They obviously made a mistake. Everyone makes a mistake in this," he said. "Gabriel should have stayed with us, even if it was a little while longer. The sentencing for us doesn't really matter. Nothing will bring Gabriel back."
CTV News
15 hours ago
- CTV News
German toddler dies after water slide fall in Croatia
Zagreb, Croatia -- A German toddler died after falling from a water slide on Croatia's northern island of Rab, police and media said Wednesday. After the accident, on Tuesday afternoon, the child was flown from Rab to the northern Adriatic city of Rijeka for treatment, but doctors could not save her, said a police statement. The circumstances of the accident were being investigated, the statement added. A police spokeswoman told AFP that the child was a toddler. Local media reported that the little girl slipped from her father's arms on the slide at the aquapark in Lopar, and fell on the concrete surface. Germans are the main tourists among more than 20 million who visit Croatia annually, heading mostly to its pristine Adriatic coast.
Arab News
16 hours ago
- Arab News
German toddler dies after water slide fall in Croatia
ZAGREB: A German toddler died after falling from a water slide on Croatia's northern island of Rab, police and media said Wednesday. After the accident, on Tuesday afternoon, the child was flown from Rab to the northern Adriatic city of Rijeka for treatment, but doctors could not save her, said a police statement. The circumstances of the accident were being investigated, the statement added. A police spokeswoman told AFP that the child was a toddler. Local media reported that the little girl slipped from her father's arms on the slide at the aquapark in Lopar, and fell on the concrete surface. Germans are the main tourists among more than 20 million who visit Croatia annually, heading mostly to its pristine Adriatic coast.
Daily Mail
17 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Waterpark tragedy as toddler plunges to her death after slipping from her father's arm as they descended slide
A toddler has plunged to her death from a slide after slipping from her father's arms. The horrific incident happened at a water park in Lopar, Croatia, on Tuesday afternoon. According to local media, the girl from Germany, aged 21 months, is said to have sustained severe injuries after falling from a height as she and her father descended from the slide. Other tourists who witnessed the incident said her father desperately called out for help, saying: 'Don't ask me anything... my daughter is dying.' Emergency services arrived at the scene and secured a landing spot for an air ambulance, which took the child to KBC Rijeka. Upon arrival, doctors immediately began intensive care. However, despite the medic's best effort, she succumbed to her injuries, which were described as serious by local media. The head of the pediatric clinic, Dr Iva Bilić Čače, confirmed her death and explained: 'Numerous serious bodily injuries, including injuries to the brain and internal organs, have been verified. 'Despite timely care and all the measures taken, unfortunately, it was not possible to save the child's life.' An investigation has now been launched into the death of the child. Police are probing whether there was a defect in the slide, which had been marked as safe to use with children. They are also hoping to determine whether all safety measures were met. According to Riportal, the owner of the water park, Josip Ivanić, refused to comment on the incident.
