Three individuals have been charged in connection with the tragic death of a 23-month-old girl in Northern Ireland, prompting a murder investigation.
The victim, Tavia Michella Ximenes Da Costa, was discovered in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, leading to a rapid response from the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
A 29-year-old man faces charges of murder and child cruelty, while a 21-year-old woman is charged with manslaughter, as well as 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, who was just weeks shy of her second birthday, had connections to the East Timorese community in Dungannon, deepening the community’s sense of grief.
The charges follow an emergency response on the morning of 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 are set to appear at Strabane Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
Detective Chief Inspector Anthony Kelly remarked, “Police, along with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, responded to the report of the sudden death of a child in the Windmill Court area on Sunday morning, October 13. Sadly, Tavia, who was just weeks away from her second birthday, was pronounced dead at the scene.”
