Toddler dies on Christmas Eve

A toddler has died in hospital on Christmas Eve after earlier being found unresponsive at his Christchurch home in a drowning incident.

Te Ariki William Robin Tawha Lee, 14 months, was found unconscious in the garden of his family home in Parklands on Sunday.

Te Ariki’s mum, Lee Monk, found her son “drowned in her garden” and rushed him to hospital where he was put on life support, a Givealittle page fundraising for his funeral costs said.

Sadly, the toddler was unable to recover.

An MRI scan taken on Monday showed Te Ariki was brain dead.

“Today [Tuesday], the life supports were removed in order to let Te Ariki die peacefully as he was unable to survive the unrecoverable situation,” the Givealittle page said.

Police said they were called to the incident at 4.30pm on Sunday.

“One person was transported to hospital in a critical condition. However, they have since sadly died. The matter is not suspicious and has been referred to the coroner.”

Te Ariki’s Givealittle page had been set up to fundraise for his funeral costs.

“Lee is a solo mum with five children and at this difficult time of year she requires any support that you’re able to give to enable Te Ariki to have a fitting ceremony to celebrate his short life.

“If you’re able to give a donation, however big or small, it would be greatly appreciated. This is a tragic loss for the family.”

The page had raised just over $5400 by last night.

Te Ariki is the second toddler to drown in Christchurch in recent months.

Oliver Bailey, 2, died in a pond at his Linwood home in September after being found floating in the water by his mother.