Prineville, Ore. – A toddler has died following an incident nearly a month ago at a Prineville daycare, according to the Crook County Sheriff’s Office, which confirmed Monday that the child was transported to a Portland hospital but did not survive.
Deputies and Prineville police were dispatched at about 11:45 a.m. on September 9th after receiving a report that an infant had fallen into water at a local daycare. First responders performed CPR until medics arrived. The child was taken to St. Charles Prineville and later airlifted to OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, where the child later died.
“This is a terrible tragedy for our community, and our thoughts are with everyone involved,” Undersheriff Bill Elliot told KTVZ News earlier today.
The Sheriff’s Office said it continues to investigate and is working with the Crook County District Attorney’s Office. Authorities have not released the name of the daycare or any further identifying details about the child or family. Following initial publication, it was later learned that the daycare facility was unlicensed, according to state officials.
Read More: "State: Prineville daycare where infant died was unlicensed, under investigation"
Both the Prineville Review and our media partner KTVZ News were tipped off to the reported drowning by anonymous community sources, prompting follow-up inquiries with the Sheriff’s Office in the days after the incident. At that time, officials confirmed an emergency response had occurred at a local daycare but said no fatality had been reported.
It remains unclear when CCSO was made aware that the toddler had not survived or when its investigation formally began.
A GoFundMe campaign shared by a member of the family identifies the child as the son of Zach and Dauna Rictor, both members of the local wildland firefighting community in Prineville. According to the fundraiser, the 20-month-old boy suffered a tragic accident on September 9 and was airlifted for intensive care.
An update posted September 13th stated that the child “had a tragic accident” and that “on September 12th his battle here on earth concluded.” The family chose to honor his memory through organ donation, the post said, adding that he “is going to be a hero and save many lives.”
The campaign is raising funds to assist with medical bills, travel expenses, and regular living costs while both parents take time off work to grieve and be with their older daughter and family.
The Rictors have requested privacy and prayers during this period.
No additional details have been released by authorities as of press time. This remains a developing story.
Note: This story was updated with additional information following publication, including the identity of the victim from information released by the family and details about how the public can support the family.
Disclaimer: Western Media Group (Prineville Review) occasionally includes links to GoFundMe and other fundraising platforms in stories where they are relevant to the news. These links are provided solely as part of our reporting. We do not verify or guarantee the legitimacy of individual fundraising campaigns, and readers should use their own discretion before donating.
Mr. Alderman is an investigative journalist specializing in government transparency, non-profit accountability, consumer protection, and is a subject mater expert on Oregon’s public records and meetings laws. As a former U.S. Army Military Police Officer, he brings a disciplined investigative approach to his reporting that has frequently exposed ethics violations, financial mismanagement, and transparency failures by public officials and agencies.
