(Update: State says daycare was unlicensed, is investigating)

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — State officials have confirmed to KTVZ News that a 20-month-old who died after falling into water at a Prineville daycare was at an unlicensed facility they are now investigating.

Here’s the information just provided to us by Christina Cortez-Bannock, a public information strategist with the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care:

“We’ve confirmed that this is an open investigation and DELC is currently partnering with other agencies.  

Are you able to say what type of facility this child was in the care? Were they licensed?  

DELC issued findings on 9/12 for operating unlawfully without a child care license.  

What happens now to the facility – are they shut down until an investigation is made? Does DELC make a separate investigation? If so, do you know when they me be available? 

This is not a licensed facility.  

This case is under investigation, and CCLD is unable to comment on any additional specific details related to cases under active investigation. However, we are happy to provide additional context about the process:  

We have strong protocols in partnering with other agencies regarding child safety:   

DELC partners with agencies such as ODHS for child abuse and neglect allegations or law enforcement when there is involvement for child safety incidents. 

DELC enforces its own Administrative Rules (OARs) for related or unrelated reasons (such as unlawful care).  

Throughout the course of the investigations, DELC assesses appropriate actions related to the facility. 

Allegations of neglect or abuse can be reported to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline at 855-503-SAFE. Concerns in a child care setting can be reported to the to the Child Care Licensing Division at 1-800-556-6616 or report through CCLD’s online complaint reporting system.   

When the investigation is wrapped up, additional findings may be posted publicly on the public  

Child Care Safety Portal. 

Lastly, what type of requirements are made for licensed facilities who have bodies of water like a pool, hot tub, or pond? 

Licensed child care homes are subject to strong water safety requirements, and are inspected by CCLD to ensure:  

Providers must keep all bodies of water in child caring spaces completely inaccessible to children, including but not limited to pools, hot tubs, ponds, fountains, creeks, and rain barrels. 

If there’s water nearby the home (like a creek or bay), children must stay in areas where water can’t be reached, and the provider must stay physically present at all times. 

Children must always be under constant sight and sound supervision near water.  

Only wading (not swimming) is allowed in natural water, and only for children age 3 and older. 

During any swimming or wading activity: 

Caregivers must be in or right next to the water. 

Strict adult-to-child ratios apply (1:1 for ages 3 and under, 1:6 for preschoolers, 1:10 for school-age). 

A certified lifeguard must always be on duty. 

Specific rules can be found here: https://www.oregon.gov/delc/providers/pages/child-care-rules.aspx .”

KTVZ News has asked the agency to clarify what type of body of water the 20-month-old fell into and where the unlicensed facility was advertising.

Multiple emails and calls to the Crook County Sheriff have gone unreturned, including a follow-up on Tuesday morning.

Earlier story:

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — On September 9th at 11:45 a.m. Crook County Sheriff’s Office received a call that a 20-month-old had fallen into water at a daycare in Prineville. When deputies and police arrived, they performed CPR until an ambulance arrived.

The 20-month-old was taken to Prineville Saint Charles and then air transported to OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland. The 20-month-old, unfortunately, did not survive.

“This is a terrible tragedy for our community, and our thoughts are with everyone involved,” said Crook County Undersheriff Bill Elliot.

KTVZ News was originally alerted to a possible tragic fatal incident in September and made multiple phone calls, emails, and voicemails to the Crook County Sheriff’s Office. At the time, the Sheriff’s Office said the incident was not fatal and wouldn’t release information about the facility.

After KTVZ News and our media partner at the Prineville Review received multiple tips that the infant had passed away, the Sheriff’s Office was once again contacted in October.

KTVZ News has asked the Sheriff’s Office to clarify what type of facility the 20-month-old was in care of, and what type of body of water the toddler fell into. We’ve also reached out to the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care for more information.

It’s not clear when the Sheriff’s Office was made aware that the 20-month-old had passed.

The Sheriff’s Office is still investigating and working closely with the Crook County District Attorney’s Office.

Undersheriff Bill Elliot gives thanks to the Prineville Fire Department and the Prineville Police Department for their assistance.