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6-year-old drowns in Victoria pond while in MCFD care; fundraiser launched

He was taken to hospital but died after two days on life support
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Oliver Ratchford died two days after he had been found unresponsive in a pond. (Courtesy of Jade Ratchford)

A six-year-old died in hospital days after being found unresponsive in a pond near a home in Victoria.

Oliver Ratchford was taken into the care of the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) on Feb. 22, according to a online fundraiser made by by Steph Paquette, a friend of siblings’ mother, Jade Ratchford.

According to the family, the mother received a call explaining her son was found unresponsive after he had been playing unsupervised by a pond and fell, just four days after he had been placed in foster care.

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About the Author: Ella Matte

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