Death of 2-year-old southern Alberta girl being investigated by RCMP major crimes unit

The death of a two-year-old girl who died in hospital on Monday is being investigated by the southern Alberta RCMP’s major crimes unit, the police force said Wednesday.

Police said the toddler was taken to hospital with serious injuries on Aug. 2. Police had not confirmed the nature of the girl’s injuries as of 5 p.m. on Friday.

A day later, Cardston RCMP were told about the situation and launched an investigation.

The child died on Aug. 6 as a result of her injuries, RCMP said.

An autopsy was conducted in Calgary on Tuesday, but police have not released the child’s cause of death.

Global News has confirmed the child’s identity as Brielle Morrison.

In a Facebook post, her father Craig Morrison said Brielle was taken off life-support at the Alberta’s Children’s Hospital.

“We took Brielle off life support at 4:39 p.m. yesterday,” the post reads. “The nurses at the children’s hospital made it so daddy could hold his girl one last time.

“It took over an hour to die in my arms, I still have no answers,” Morrison goes on to say.

Morrison told Global News he is searching for answers as to the circumstances surrounding his daughter’s death and urges anyone who may have any information to come forward.

Mother previously charged in child’s death

Sources have confirmed that Brielle’s mother is the same Christy Melvin who was previously convicted in 2002 for failing to obtain assistance after childbirth.

Court documents from Lethbridge Provincial Court in December 2002 show Melvin also pleaded guilty to concealing the body of a child.

She had also been charged with infanticide but that was withdrawn.

Melvin was given a six-month conditional sentence and 18 months probation.

Global News reached out to Melvin for comment but has not received a response.

RCMP said several agencies are involved in the ongoing investigation. As of Friday afternoon, RCMP said there was no update in the investigation.