Autopsies confirm drowning in deaths of Melanie ECD siblings

An autopsy conducted on Friday on the bodies of eight-year-old Tianna DeCourte and her brother, 10-year-old Jadon DeCourte, who died on Phagwah Day at Enterprise, East Coast Demerara (ECD), has confirmed that both of them died as a result of drowning.
The examinations were performed at the Memorial Gardens Mortuary by Government pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh on the siblings of Melanie Public Road, ECD. The bodies were subsequently handed over to relatives for funeral arrangements. Investigations into the incident are continuing. The tragedy occurred on Tuesday morning when the two children reportedly fell into a water-filled trench at a construction site along the Melanie Damishana/Enterprise Access Road.

Police had reported that the siblings were in the area with their mother between about 08:00h and 11:05h but reportedly wandered away. At about 11:05h, information was received that two children had been found motionless in a trench. Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) responded to the scene but pronounced both children dead. Police also indicated that no marks of violence were observed on their bodies.
The children’s father, Jason DeCourte, had explained that the siblings were in the area with relatives participating in Phagwah celebrations, which is a yearly tradition in the community. According to him, Tianna had reportedly gone to refill her water gun from the trench, which had become filled with water due to ongoing construction works in the area. It is believed that she slipped and fell into the trench. Her brother, Jadon, reportedly attempted to rescue her but also fell into the water.
By the time their father arrived at the scene, residents had already removed the children from the trench and laid them nearby as persons gathered. Residents said the trench formed part of ongoing road and drainage works in the area, while questions were also raised about water reportedly being discharged into the trench during the construction process. Following the incident, President Dr Irfaan Ali expressed condolences to the grieving family and indicated that Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony and Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Susan Rodrigues visited the home to offer support.
Education Minister Sonia Parag also visited the family, while Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall urged that the tragedy not be politicised. The siblings were among five children. Tianna, who was a twin, would have celebrated her birthday on March 21, while her brother Jadon had turned 10 just last month.