Police have included element of negligence while investigating the death of an infant who was found floating in the Mulomulo River in Nadi on Saturday.

One-year-old Charles Jolame Ryan was last seen playing with his seven siblings outside their home on Saturday afternoon

What transpired hours later left his parents and the Mulomulo community in shock.

The river is reported to be 100 metres from the family home.

But the child’s father, Scott Ryan, is claiming foul play as Police continue investigation.

Mr Ryan said there was no way his youngest child could have walked from their home on the hill down to the river.

Indecent exposure claim 

Mr Ryan, 47, claimed the death could have been an alleged revenge.

He claimed he had often reported their two neighbours to Police for allegedly having the habit of standing outside their home indecently exposing themselves to his three young daughters.

Mother, Alivano Serenato, said her children were playing on their compound after lunch on Saturday.

“After few hours we realised that he was missing, so we started looking around and calling his name. Some of the neighbours came and helped us in the search. In the evening, we found his body near the river.”

The family at their home in Mulomulo, Nadi, on September 17, 2023. Photo: Mereleki Nai

Attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.

Mr Ryan claimed his son’s head was swollen and his clothes were dry.

In a statement, Police confirmed that the victim was found floating in the Mulomulo River on Saturday night.

Police said the circumstances surrounding the incident were under investigation and they would be looking into the element of negligence.

“We are calling on parents and guardians to closely supervise the movements of children at all times, as accidents can occur at any given time,” the statement said.

The drowning death toll stands at 29 compared to 27 for the same period last year.

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