Girl, 3, drowned in bath after turning taps on herself when left alone, inquest told
A TODDLER drowned in the bath after turning the taps on while left alone in a tragic accident, an inquest heard.
Iris-Mae Aubrey was discovered by mum Chelsea at the family home in Abetillery, South Wales.
Tragically the three-year-old couldn’t be saved and was declared dead less than hour later.
An inquest heard how Iris-Mae had been collected early from school after falling ill in September last year.
She was looked after by her gran until mum Chelsea and dad Ryan returned home from work that afternoon.
After vomiting on her pyjamas, Ryan ran the youngster a bath before Chelsea checked it was half-filled to her daughter’s waist.
She then went downstairs to grab a towel and clean up at around 8.25pm.
The court was told Iris-Mae would often call her mum to let her know she was ready to get out the bath.
But around 25 minutes later, Chelsea went upstairs to find the tub fully filled with water with her unresponsive daughter inside.
Senior Gwent coroner Caroline Saunders said it appeared Iris-Mae had managed to turn on the bath taps while she was left unattended.
Ruling her death was a tragic accident, she added: “This was a terrible event which will never leave the family.”
A GoFundMe page set up to help Iris-Mae’s family following the tragedy reached more than £10,000.
Ayesha Powell, who set up the page, said: “On the 26th September 2023, Ryan and Chelsea faced the most horrific and difficult situation any parents could face, when their precious 3 year old daughter passed away.
“Iris-Mae was a beautiful, clever, funny, little girl who is going to be missed dearly by all those who knew her.
“Iris-Mae’s parents, little brother Oliver, who she was the best big sister too, and the rest of her family, have all had their lives changed forever.”