Linden toddler drowns in pond

A one-year-old toddler of Amelia’s Ward, Linden, died on Sunday afternoon in a pond situated a short distance from her home.

Dead is Mareina Smart of Block 42 Lower Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). Reports are the incident occurred at about 16:30h. This publication understands that the toddler was left in the care of her 16-year-old brother by their parents to attend an event at Wismar, Linden. The 16-year-old reportedly told Police that he was washing clothes at the back of the yard while the toddler and other siblings were playing in the front of the yard. It was reported that at about 17:00h, the teen observed that the now deceased was not with the other children. He told Police that after making checks, he stumbled upon the body of the toddler floating in a pond situated about 30 to 40 feet from the house. The child’s body was retrieved from the water and transported to the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) where she was pronounced dead. Police have since said that the body was examined and no marks of violence were found. The body is presently at the Pensioner’s Funeral Home in Linden awaiting a post-mortem examination (PME).