Toddler Dies After Wandering Away From Mission Daycare and Falling Into Neighbor's Pool
A devastating tragedy unfolded in Mission, B.C., after a 23-month-old girl wandered away from Melissa’s Bright Beginnings daycare and was later found unresponsive in a neighbouring backyard swimming pool. According to the Toddler dies after wandering away from Mission daycare, falling into swimming pool
the incident has raised urgent concerns about childcare supervision and safety standards across the region.
Missing Child Reported After 10 Minutes
The daycare owner contacted RCMP around 4:40 p.m., reporting that roughly 10 minutes had passed since the toddler was last seen. Officers responded immediately, searching the daycare and surrounding properties.
During the search, a police officer discovered the toddler floating in the swimming pool next door. She jumped into the water, pulled the girl out, and urgently called for backup. Emergency crews arrived and performed CPR before transporting her to the hospital, where she was sadly pronounced dead.
Daycare License Suspended Amid Investigation
Fraser Health confirmed that the daycare’s license—issued in September 2017—was suspended immediately following the incident. The authority has launched an internal investigation, calling the event “an unspeakable tragedy.”
Shock and Grief in the Neighbourhood
Neighbours described the heartbreaking moments that unfolded.
Across the street, resident Mitsuko Clysdale recalls hearing frantic screams:
“Did you find her? Did you find her?”
When the child was pulled from the pool, her parents collapsed in grief.
Another neighbour, Ian Johnston, only realized what was happening when he looked out his window and saw an RCMP officer desperately trying to save the toddler’s life.
“She was working so hard on that little girl,” he said. “My heart just went out to them.”
Previous Violations and Supervision Concerns
A surprise inspection earlier that January uncovered significant supervision issues at the daycare:
Five of the eight children present were under three years old — exceeding licensing limits
Interior walls blocked sightlines, making proper supervision difficult
A separate complaint in April raised additional concerns about noise and supervision
Although the daycare promised improvements, questions remain about how the toddler managed to leave the property unnoticed.
How Did the Child Enter the Neighbour’s Backyard?
The neighbouring home’s backyard was fenced and secured, leaving residents shocked that the girl was able to slip next door.
“It was locked up as tight as a drum,” Johnston said. “You’re just heartbroken. How could something like this even happen?”
Mission RCMP Staff-Sgt. Steve Crawford said it was too early to know whether charges may follow.
“The loss of a child is incredibly painful,” he said. “Our thoughts are with the family and everyone involved.”
Learn How to Respond in Emergencies
Incidents like this highlight the importance of knowing how to react quickly in life-threatening situations. If you’d like to gain essential CPR and first aid skills, consider enrolling in our Standard First Aid Courses at Calgary First Aid.
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