CHELSEA — A preliminary investigation found that a 2-year-old’s death in Chelsea on Friday was the result of an accidental drowning, according to a news release from Vermont State Police.
Police said Paislee Champney fell into the First Branch of the White River from behind her home on Route 110 on Friday afternoon. Rescue crews found her just south of the intersection of routes 110 and 113.
“Information available as a result of the ongoing investigation indicates the toddler wandered away from supervision getting too close to the river and was caught in strong currents,” police said in the news release. The “investigation is ongoing as autopsy results are incomplete at this time.”
State police, Orange County sheriffs, First Branch Ambulance, Vermont game wardens and numerous fire departments responded to search the area.
Ambulance personnel transported the toddler to Gifford Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead, police said.