Daycare centre speaks out as new details emerge about death of baby after she was left in hot car all day
Callum Jones
Featured Image Credit: Family Handout
A daycare centre in Queensland has offered advice to other childcare facilities after the death of a one-year-old who was left in a boiling hot car in Sydney.
Little Olivia Ancelet was trapped in a scorching car after her dad had forgotten she was in the back amid soaring temperatures in Australia.
Etienne Ancelet only realized his daughter, who had just turned one in December, was still in the car after he drove to her daycare centre in Earlwood, a suburb in Sydney, to collect her at around 5.35pm.
But he was informed Olivia was never dropped off in the first place and rushed out back to his car to find his daughter's lifeless body still in the vehicle.
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Emergency services raced to the scene, but Olivia was sadly pronounced dead.
Speaking during a press conference on Tuesday (February 4), New South Wales Police Superintendent Christine McDonald said: "Leaving a child in a vehicle at any time can be dangerous. Leaving a child inside a vehicle for an extended period of time can be deadly.
"This is an absolute tragedy."
Emily's Early Learning in Ipswich, Queensland - which is not the daycare Olivia attended - has since spoken out on the incident.
Branding the incident 'an absolute tragedy', they wrote: "R.I.P darling girl. I cannot imagine the unbearable pain of grieving the loss of your child.
"This is why I will ALWAYS contact parents by 10am if children have not been dropped off to daycare on their booked days. I wish this was universal across all providers."
Olivia's parents have been speaking to the press following the awful tragedy, where they paid tribute to their little girl.
Speaking to news.com.au, they said: "Olivia was a sweet and beautiful baby, who was the light of our lives.
“We are humbled and grateful for the time we had her. We are devastated by what has unfolded.
“We do not wish this on any parent."
The couple added: "We will always cherish our time with our beautiful girl. She was loved by all that knew her. It is an unimaginable time of sorrow for us."
A police investigation remains ongoing. No charges have been filed.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends on (877) 969-0010.