2 year old Lagos School Pupil died by drowning, Autopsy Report Reveals
TEC News!
The Nigerian Police has released the autopsy report conducted on the 2 year old pupil of Smiley Kids Montessori School in Lagos who was confirmed dead on January 2025 by the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) .
The sad incident occurred on 15th January to 2025 as the now late kid, Rapheala Ogbodo reportedly died from drowning in the school swimming pool after straying to the pool side without the knowledge of the caregivers.
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This was contained in the interim police investigation report obtained on Thursday, detailing the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident that led the Lagos State government to close the school.
According to the police report titled “RE: Case of Conspiracy, Negligent Act and Suspected Murder of One Raphella Ogbodo ‘F’ Aged 2 Years,” the toddler, who was under the care of school staff, strayed to the swimming pool area and drowned.
The report stated: “The deceased who was under the watch and care of the suspects negligently strayed to the poolside and got drown.”
It further noted that following a discreet investigation into the matter, an autopsy was performed on the remains of the child by the Chief Pathologist at LASUTH, confirming the cause of death as:
“(a) Asphyxia and (b) Drowning.” The findings officially debunked initial claims circulating on social media and within the community that the child may have been electrocuted.
“The report in (No. 3) herein is an expert report from a Certified Government Agency/Ministry which refuted the alleged electrocution of the deceased,” the police noted.
The incident, which occurred on January 15, 2025, sparked outrage after the child’s mother, identified simply as Ella, demanded justice, saying her daughter had gone to school healthy that morning but did not return alive.
As part of the police investigation, statements were obtained from the complainant, identified as John Ogbodo, and other witnesses.
The report confirmed that the statements of the school staff, including the head, Ayodele Thomas, were taken under caution.
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The police added:
“The case file has been duplicated and forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for vetting and legal advice.”
In the wake of the tragedy, the Lagos State Government swiftly moved to shut down the school, located in Heritage Place Estate, Sangotedo, to allow for a thorough investigation.
A statement from the Lagos State Safety Commission read: “The attention of the Lagos State Safety Commission has been drawn to the swimming pool accident that occurred at Smiley Kids Montessori, Heritage Place Estate, Sangotedo, Lagos, on Wednesday, 15th January 2025, which led to the death of a two-year-old female, Rapheala Ogbodo.”
Officials from the Safety Commission and the Office of Education Quality Assurance have since visited the school to conduct a preliminary investigation.
“While the school is presently under lock pending further investigation, the state government extends its deepest condolences to the family of the victim and expresses its commitment to preventing future occurrences,” the statement added.
“All School Operators in the state must strictly comply with safety regulations”
Emphasized by the Director-General of the Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola.