A four-year-old boy was found dead in a swimming pool in rural Nova Scotia, hours after he was reported missing.
Police say Nicholas was reported missing from his grandparents’ home near Middle Musquodoboit, about 80 kilometres northwest of Halifax, shortly before 10 p.m. Wednesday.
RCMP Cpl. Jadie Spencer said it took several hours to find the boy’s body because a preliminary check of the pool found that the surface of the water was dirty and “appeared to be undisturbed.”
The officers couldn’t see the bottom of the pool, Spencer said.
When ground search and rescue crews went back to the pool hours later, they searched it thoroughly and found the boy.
Police say they do not believe his death is suspicious.
Spencer said the in-ground pool had a fence, in keeping with bylaws for the Halifax Regional Municipality. He said he doesn’t know if the gate was open or closed — the bylaws state such gates must have a latch, but they don’t have to have a lock.
Staff Sgt. Dave Thibeau speaks to @globalhalifax after searchers locate body of missing 4yo boy in #Elmsvale. pic.twitter.com/7plXfNTC5d
— Cory McGraw (@McgrawCory) June 16, 2016
Agencies/Canadajournal