Three individuals have been charged in connection with the tragic death of a 23-month-old child in Northern Ireland, leading to a murder investigation.
The victim, Tavia Michella Ximenes Da Costa, was found in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, prompting a swift response from the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
A 29-year-old man has been charged with both murder and child cruelty, while a 21-year-old woman faces serious charges including manslaughter, causing or allowing the death of a child or vulnerable person, and child cruelty.
Additionally, a 24-year-old woman has been charged with causing or allowing the death of a child or vulnerable person and child cruelty.
Tavia was just weeks away from celebrating her second birthday and had ties to the East Timorese community in Dungannon, a fact that has added to the community’s sense of loss.
The charges follow an emergency response on Sunday morning, October 13, when police and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service were alerted to the sudden death of a child in the Windmill Court area. Tragically, Tavia was pronounced dead at the scene.
All three accused individuals are scheduled to appear at Strabane Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
Detective Chief Inspector Anthony Kelly stated, “Police, along 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.”
