AN INQUEST was opened yesterday into the Christmas Day death of a toddler who is believed to have drowned in the bath.
Erin Reed's mother, Melissa Connolly, 29, of Roworth Road, Middlesbrough, found the 18-month-old girl face down in the water after she had been playing with her three-year-old sister.
The mother had been fetching a towel to dry her children.
Miss Connolly spoke to Teesside coroner Michael Sheffield at the register office in Middlesbrough to give evidence of identification so the child's body could be released for burial.
Miss Connolly, who is originally from Bishop Auckland, County Durham, confirmed the girl's father was Paul Reed, a 27-year-old unemployed upholsterer, of Windermere Road, Hartlepool.
The inquest was adjourned pending further inquiries, and a certificate of death was issued so funeral arrangements could be made.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article