Death of toddler found in garden pond ‘accidental’

Isobel was going from room to room, opening presents and playing games but at one point knocked over a wax melt burner in the hall and her mother went to clean it up.

After she finished, she went to find her “to tell her it was OK and to be careful” but could not find her.

It was then that she went into the garden with her husband, who found Isobel in the pond.

Her mother started CPR and an ambulance arrived a short time later. Isobel was taken to Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

Her parents were with her when she died, just before 18:00 BST.

Det Con Danielle Duncan-Blakely, of South Yorkshire Police, said an investigation found there were no suspicious circumstances and told the hearing: “It’s sad, they have to carry on their lives knowing they’ve lost their little girl on that day.

“They’ve had another baby, I just hope they can bring some joy from that.”

The coroner said Isobel’s parents had chosen not to attend the inquest “due to the distressing circumstances”.

Recording a conclusion of accidental death, she said: “I would like to wish my most heartfelt condolences for (the family’s) loss, in these most tragic of circumstances.”

Additional reporting by PA Media.