Cops probing death of girl in bathtub

By Jonathan Kingstone, Toronto Sun

Wed, July 14, 2004

THE DEATH of a 4-year-old Scarborough girl whose father told police she drowned in a bathtub is now listed as suspicious and is under investigation by the homicide squad. The girl's mother told police she put the toddler to bed around dinner time Monday in the family's Rosebank Dr. townhouse, near Markham Rd. and Sheppard Ave.

When the father got home about an hour later, he is reported to have found her submerged in a bathroom tub -- filled with water and laundry -- adjacent to the tot's bedroom.

An autopsy performed yesterday on the child proved inconclusive and investigators are awaiting the results of other tests to determine how she died, Insp. Brian Raybould said.

'UNUSUALLY QUIET'

The parents, who have been interviewed by police, are not in custody, Raybould said. However, their home remained under guard by an officer.

Police initially said the death appeared to be nothing more than an "unfortunate accident," but circumstances apparently arose to cause further investigation.

Neighbours said the couple arrived from mainland China about one year ago.

One neighbour said she often saw them go to the park with their daughter, who she said appeared unusually quiet.

"She was so quiet. She didn't talk much," said Susan Chuong, 50.

"'Daddy, mommy,' that's about it. She wasn't like a normal kid that talks a lot."

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