Caleb Charbonneau, 13 months old, dies after choking at Gatineau, Que., daycare

The death of a toddler who choked on his food at a Gatineau, Que., daycare on Wednesday was an accident, police say.

The 13-month-old boy has been identified by his family as Caleb Charbonneau.

The incident happened at about 11:45 a.m. Wednesday at Centre de la petite enfance La Ribambelle d'Aylmer, at 272 Thuyas St., in the city's Aylmer sector.

Charbonneau was one of five children eating a meal that included pita-bread pizza, cooked vegetables and fruit when the incident occurred, according to Isabelle Laporte, the vice-president of the daycare's board of directors, whose young daughter also attends the daycare.

One staff member was in the room at the time with the five children, Laporte said.

Daycare staff tried to revive Charbonneau until paramedics arrived, police said. He was then taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Autopsy expected in the coming days

Gatineau police are investigating — a standard procedure in deaths of any children under the age of six — and an autopsy is expected in the coming days.

But police said Thursday that the death was accidental.

"... We can confirm at this point that it's nothing criminal, it's a tragic accident," said Gatineau police spokesperson Pierre Lanthier.

"I can tell it's not easy for anybody today."

Laporte said grief counsellors were meeting with staff Thursday afternoon and parents in the evening to talk about how to discuss the boy's death with the children. 

Charbonneau also had an older brother who attended the daycare.

"Our thoughts are with the child's parents and their family," said Laporte. "It's a lot of emotion and I don't have the words to say and I saw this child every day. It's a tragic accident and I think everyone is shocked about this."

All daycare staff have up-to-date training in both CPR and first aid, Laporte said.

The daycare is expected to re-open Friday.