Tot died in canal that family were moving away from as dangerous

A FAMILY was in the process of moving from living by the Wolverhampton Level as it was too close to the canal and were afraid for their two years old boy drowning.

They kept a close eye on their son, Jayce Olutola, but it was thought he escaped the house through its garage and drowned in the canal, Keith Gudgin reports.

Discovered in canal

After being reported missing police officers discovered him in the canal, and though they attempted to revive him, he was pronounced dead at the scene, on the 11th of August last year.

The subsequent inquest at the Black Country Coroners Court was told that Jayce lived with his parents on Hendon Avenue but they were about to move house due to safety concerns over living so near to the waterway.

His mum had left the house at around 5pm to move things into the new property. but left the garage door open. When she returned a little later she found him missing and immediately informed the police.

The inquest heard he probably escaped through the garage,  as his mother searched the house then realised the garage door was open.

He was recovered from the canal at 6pm

Excused from attending

Black Country Senior Coroner Mr Zafar Siddique read statements from the family who were excused from attending the hearing due to the distressing circumstances.

He concluded that Jayce died as a result of accidental death as a result of falling in the canal.