PHILIPSBURG:--- On Tuesday, October 6, 2014 the Public Prosecutors Service (OM) was informed of the death of an 11-month old child, a boy. The child was deceased on board an aircraft while it was flown to the Dominican Republic for medical treatment. A day before, the child was brought in to St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC). The mother stated that the child had fallen into a toilet bowl. The possible cause of death raised questions, hence the Public Prosecutor instructed KPSM to investigate the death. This investigation was conducted last weeks under the name "Tulip". The investigation was done tactical, by hearing witnesses, as well as forensic. The forensic investigation included research on the body of the deceased child, examining the place where the child has fallen and an accurate measurement and photographing of the situation. The findings, based on all the research, delivered no indications for a crime. There are no indications that the child had been abused or neglected or not taken good care of by the person who had the care of the child. The prosecution assumes that the child slipped of a mattress, crawled to and climbed on a ridge next to the toilet, and fell in the low toilet. The situation in the house made it possible that such an accident could have happened. The child's parents have been informed that the OM released the body of the child so the young boy can be buried.
Press Release from the Public Prosecutors Office