Detectives in Northern Ireland have launched a murder investigation into the death of a toddler in County Tyrone.
Tavia Michella Ximenes Da Costa was found dead in the Windmill Court area of Dungannon on Sunday 13th October. She would have turned two at the end of this month.
A man, along with two women, are set to appear in court on Thursday, with a 29-year-old man charged with murder and cruelty to children. A 21-year-old woman has been charged with manslaughter. This woman, along with another woman aged 24 are both charged with causing or allowing the death of a child, and cruelty to children.
The Belfast Telegraph reports that the child’s family had lived in the area for less than a year, and kept to themselves. Locals told the newspaper of their shock at the news, as residents laid flowers outside the home.
“We are devastated by it because we don’t have that, that doesn’t happen here,” one resident who has lived in the area for 44 years said.
“We have had our own problems over the years but not a baby – not a baby,” local woman Frances Hamilton said. “There have never been any issues for children,” she added, describing the close-knit community as a “safe place for children.”
In a statement, PSNI Detective Chief Inspector, Anthony Kelly, said: “Police, among with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, responded to the report of the sudden death of a child in the Windmill Court area of the town on Sunday morning, October 13.
“Sadly, Tavia, who was just weeks away from her second birthday, was pronounced dead at the scene. Following the results of a post mortem examination, I can now confirm that I am treating her death as a murder.”
As is normal procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.
Roy Setiawan, from Timorese Association Inclusive Support NI, said that the death of the 23-month-old child had come as a “shock to our community.”
“I hope we all pray for the soul of the baby girl that passed away, so her soul can rest in peace,” he said.
Detectives have appealed to anyone with information to contact them on 101, quoting reference 436 of 13/10/24. Information can also be provided to the charity Crimestoppers, who guarantees complete anonymity, on 0800 555 111.