EUREKA, Ill. – A toddler from Washington was declared brain dead after reportedly drowning in a pond in Eureka this week.
Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood says Eureka-Goodfield Fire and E-M-S were called to the area of Eastview Circle and Lake Road just before 5:00 P.M. Tuesday on reports of the drowning.
Three-year-old Essence Toft was found unresponsive, not breathing, and without a pulse.
Toft was taken to OSF Healthcare St. Francis in grave condition, and was pronounced brain-dead just after 10:30 P.M. Thursday.
It’s not known at this time how long Toft was in the water before being discovered, but no foul play is suspected.
An autopsy will take place after organ donation.
