Father watches inquest into son's pool drowning
Focus on safety of children in unlicensed daycares on outings, children using backyard pools
An inquest into the 2010 drowning death of an Ottawa toddler got underway Monday. morning.
Jeremie Audette, 2, drowned on July 28, 2010, after he fell into an above-ground pool while his unlicensed daycare provider visited the home of another daycare operator who was hosting an event.
Paramedics tried to revive the toddler, who had no vital signs when they arrived at a house in the Innes Road and 10th Line area. He was rushed to the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, where he was pronounced dead.
The inquest will focus on two areas: the safety of children in unlicensed daycares who go on outings and how to improve safety for children using backyard pools.
The inquest is examining the circumstances surrounding his death and may also make recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths.
The inquest is expected to last 15 days and to hear from 23 witnesses including first responders who were called to the drowning, childcare experts and the daycare operators.