The police investigation into the 2015 drowning death of a toddler in Morinville, Alberta has resulted in charges against the little girl’s parents.

Last July,  the two-and-a-half-year-old girl was playing with her siblings in the town’s Lakes subdivision when she disappeared. RCMP responded to the area and located the unresponsive girl in a pond. Lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful and the girl was pronounced dead at the scene.

On Thursday, June 30, 2016, Jade’s parents, Trevor and Robin MacDonald were jointly charged with one count of failing to provide the necessaries of life.

The Calgary Fire Department recommends parents and guardians take precautions to ensure their children stay safe:

  • Supervise children at all times
  • Remain within an arm’s length from children when near open water
  • Enroll children in swimming lessons
  • People of all ages should wear a proper lifejacket when on the water  

“Wherever there’s water, there’s risk, especially with young children,” explained CFD public education officer Carol Henke. “A young child can drown in several inches of water and it can take very little time, seconds really, which is why it’s so important to have constant watch.”

Calgary Recreation operates 14 swimming pools and offers swimming lessons throughout the year.

According to the Lifesaving Society of Canada, there were at least 308 preventable water-related deaths in Canada in 2014.

For addition information regarding water safety, visit City of Calgary – Safety Tips for Water

With files from CTV Calgary's Alesia Fieldberg and CTV Edmonton