A Calgary father is thanking people for their support following his young daughter’s mysterious death.
“I can never say thank you enough to them,” Craig Morrison said via phone on Monday. “Everybody is just trying to look out for my best interest and help me through this.”
Morrison has been grieving the loss of his daughter, Brielle Morrison, since she was taken off life support at the Alberta Children’s Hospital on August 6.
“It still doesn’t feel real,” Morrison said. “I just miss my little baby girl, she was the reason I do everything and I’m not sure what to do now.”
In a news release last week, Alberta RCMP said its major crimes unit was investigating the death of a two-year-old girl who was taken to hospital on August 2 with serious injuries.
Morrison said he and his ex-girlfriend Christy Melvin share custody of Brielle and that the toddler was staying with her mother in Cardston, Alta. when she was injured.
“Whatever happened, she had a fractured skull,” Morrison said.
Morrison said he was first told that Brielle had fallen off her bed on July 31 while at home with Melvin, and seemed to be okay.
However, he said he was later told a different story by investigators.
RCMP said an autopsy was completed on August 7 at the Calgary Medical Examiner’s office, but have not released any information about the extent of Brielle’s injuries.
Mother previously charged in child’s death
Court documents from Lethbridge Provincial Court show Melvin pleaded guilty in December 2002 to concealing the body of a child and failing to obtain assistance after childbirth.
Global News has reached out to Melvin multiple times on social media, a person who identified herself as Melvin’s friend said Melvin had taken time away from social media.
Melvin still has not returned Global Calgary’s requests for a response.
Outpouring of Support
Days after Brielle’s death, a fundraiser was started by one of Morrison’s close friends to cover the costs of her funeral in Calgary.
“I couldn’t even imagine what he’s going through right now,” Davin Willets said. “The last thing I wanted him to worry about is whatever bills are going to come from this.”
Willets said $5,000 was raised raffling off several items including a Calgary Flames jersey autographed by Matthew Tkachuk.
“A ton of these people don’t even know Craig or Brielle, so words can’t describe how amazing it is that people just want to help out,” Willets said.
Morrison said he’s touched by outpouring and isn’t looking for any more donations even though some winners have come forward to have their prizes resold to raise more money.
“The support my friends have given me, I could have never imagined,” Morrison said.
Brielle’s funeral will be held later this week in Calgary.
He said the little girl was being cremated and that her ashes are being put into two urns so Melvin and her family can have a separate service.
“In my mind, her choices, her actions are the reason why my daughter isn’t with me anymore,” Morrison said.
So far, no arrests or charges have been laid in relation to Brielle’s death.
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