Death of two-year-old girl found in 'builder's bucket' deemed 'not suspicious' by police

06.02.2022 - 14:33 / dailyrecord.co.uk

The death of a two-year-old girl who was found 'drowned in a builder's bucket' in a garden is being treated as "not suspicious", according to police.

The Metropolitan Police were called to the address in Reedle Road, Dagenham after the toddler was reported missing last week prompting a huge search.

The missing persons report was filed at 4pm on January 29, with the child found unresponsive in the garden a short time later.

Neighbours spoke of the horror moment they heard crying as a team of 20 to 30 people scoured the area for little girl.

As reported by Essex Live, spokesman for the force stated: "She was taken by London Ambulance Service to an east London hospital where, despite all efforts to revive her, she was sadly pronounced dead.

"Next of kin are aware.

"A post-mortem examination was conducted at St Thomas Hospital on Thursday, 3 February. We await the outcome of additional tests.

"The death continues to be treated as unexplained, but is not thought to have been suspicious.

"Enquiries are ongoing. There were no arrests."

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: "I looked everywhere, everywhere I was supposed to look. About 20 people were looking. No-one found anything until the police dog found them."

Another said: "Police were knocking on doors. Then we did not hear anything until they said they found her not breathing in the back garden. I'm totally shocked and it's very scary as well because I have just moved in.

"To hear that it's not just far from here it's terrifying really."

Residents have been shocked by the news. One local said: "The woman knocked on my door. I do not know what happened honestly. I heard crying."