LAYTON, Utah (ABC 4 News) - A 4-year-old Layton girl died late Saturday night from what investigators are saying could be pesticides.
Layton Police say 4-year-old Rebecca Toone has died, while her younger sister, 15-month-old Rachel remained in the Primary Children's Medical Center's Intensive Care Unit where she was being treated for poisoning.
Police say the incident happened at the Toone family's home near 1500 North 2400 West in Layton.
Layton Police say crews found small amounts of phosphine gas inside the home coming from rodent kill that was placed outside earlier in the week by an exterminator to get rid of a rodent problem.
On Friday, the family called 911 when their carbon monoxide detector had gone off. Fire crews arrived at the home to investigate, but only found small traces of the gas in the basement. The family was allowed back inside their home after it was ventilated.
More problems on Saturday when the whole family became ill. They believed they became sick from food poisoning since it came on so suddenly. They were all vomiting and sick throughout the day, and it only got worse.
Saturday night the mother took her 4-year-old daughter to the hospital after she found her unconscious. She died shortly before midnight.
After an autopsy, it was determined that the girl did not die from CO poisoning, but something else instead.
The Utah National Guard Hazmat team, along with other city departments, investigated the home Sunday for any cause of death.
The house has been sealed off temporarily. But police say no neighboring houses are in danger.
Results from the search are still under examination and police say the test results will be confirmed Monday.
Nathan and Brenda Toone's two older children were monitored, tested and released later from PCMC.
Stay tuned to ABC 4 News and ABC4.com for more on this story.
Toone Family Statement
The family of Rachel Toone has released the following statement to media:
We are greatly saddened by the passing of our four year old daughter Rebecca Toone. Our 15 month old daughter Rachel is being treated at Primary Childrens Hospital with serious complications related to symptoms similar to Rebecca's. We love these girls and our two older children with all our hearts.
We have been sustained by the love of our family, friends and neighbors, and by our faith and understanding of our purpose in this life and the world to come. While much is yet to be understood, we respectfully ask for the privacy to mourn our loss and see Rachel's care and some measure of peace for ourselves and our children. We are sincerely grateful for the efforts of police, firefighters and healthcare professionals who have served our fmaily with kindness and tenderness. Contributions to assist the family may be made to a trust fund in the name of Rebecca Toone at any office of Wells Fargo Bank.
