Six-year-old died after falling into canal
A six-year-old boy died an accidental death after falling into the canal close to his sister's home, an inquest heard.
Jaden Dunnett died at Birmingham Children's Hospital on April 9 this year after he fell into the canal close to Basin Lane, Tamworth on April 1.
Cause of death was given as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy - brain injury due to lack of oxygen and drowning.
Coroner Andrew Haigh gave the verdict of accidental death. He said: "This was a genuine tragic accident.
"We have heard from the police how, on April 1, Jaden was attending a gathering at his sister's home on Basin Lane, Tamworth, and the family were in separate rooms.
"Understandably, the family thought Jaden was in a different room from them and when they realised he was not in the property they searched outside where his sister's partner, Daniel, found Jaden face down in the water."
Detective Sergeant Ian Pickstock of Cannock Adult and Child Protection Team confirmed that his team had 'thoroughly investigated' what had happened.
CCTV recovered from the scene by the police showed that Jaden had been playing on the towpath close to the canal when he reached out to touch a moored barge which was close by. He slipped and fell into the water.
Detective Sergeant Pickstock said: "I want to make clear that this was not a case of Jaden being at an adult party where alcohol was being consumed. There was no evidence of alcohol being consumed or that Jaden was neglected.
"I just think it is a tragic genuine accident. It was slightly out of character for Jaden to go off on his own but we have to accept that. Doors were not physically left open so that was not an issue."
