ELLSINORE -- A Carter County, Mo., toddler who nearly drowned last month died Friday morning in a St. Louis, Mo., hospital.
Adrian Hindal, 2, of rural Ellsinore, Mo., was found in a creek near his family's home the morning of Feb. 24. Carter County Sheriff Rick Stephens previously said it appeared the child had only been in the water "a short time" before being discovered by family members.
Hindal was initially unresponsive and not breathing, but emergency medical services personnel were able to regain a heart beat en route to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. After he was stabilized, he was flown to St. Louis, where it appeared the toddler's vitals were "looking good," Stephens previously stated.
Stephens was informed Friday morning the toddler had died. He then confirmed it with Carter County Coroner Eric McSpadden.
McSpadden said "anoxic brain injury, secondary to submersion in water" was ruled the cause of death.
"Even though they were able to revive him at the scene, he was down for an extended period of time with a lack of oxygen to the brain," he explained.
The Child Fatality Review Board is scheduled to meet Monday to discuss the case. The board is required by law to meet any time a child dies, and will include the Carter County prosecuting attorney, McSpadden, the Division of Family Services, the Carter County Health Department and medical responders.
McSpadden expects the death will be ruled accidental.
"All the law enforcement are in agreement it was a tragic accident," he said. "They appear to be very loving parents and it's a good home."