Toddler who died had extensive burns: coroner

An autopsy has concluded that extensive scald-type burns may have contributed to the drowning death of a two-year-old toddler who was in foster care.

The Saskatchewan government released that information Friday in connection with the death of Evander Lee Daniels, 22 months, on Tuesday.

The child had been living at the home near Aberdeen, Sask., with five other children, four of whom have now been seized by the Social Services Ministry.

An autopsy was done and preliminary results indicate the cause of death was drowning, the Office of the Chief Coroner said in a news release.

The child's father has told CBC News he has been informed that the child died in a bathtub and there were burn marks on his body.

The RCMP said the investigation is focusing on what happened inside the home on June 8.

A wake was being held Friday at the Sturgeon Lake First Nation.

Officials on the reserve say it's the second time in six months a child from the reserve has died while in foster care and are calling for a public inquiry.

Aberdeen is about 40 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon.