KEY POINTS:
The family of a Te Anau toddler who died this week is upset police are treating the death as suspicious.
Joann Dillon said last night her 18-month-old grandson, Shane Holden Price, died of accidental drowning on Tuesday and there was nothing suspicious about it.
"It was an accidental death, every person should be aware. He drowned and that's all there is to it," she told The Southland Times.
"The family is most upset at what has been said by police.
"We are disappointed at what's been printed, we are disgusted. The kids have been through enough."
Police said on Wednesday Shane's death was being treated as suspicious until a cause of death was known.
His body was released to the family after the autopsy and his funeral is to be held in Te Anau today.
Ms Dillon declined to say where Shane drowned, but police said they were called to his parents' house in Pop Andrew Drive at 1.25pm on Tuesday where they found paramedics and members of his family who had unsuccessfully tried to resuscitate Shane.
The house was cordoned off and 11 officers were investigating the infant's death.
Police completed their scene examination yesterday and the family returned home.
Mr Cowie said yesterday there were still inquiries to be completed in Te Anau, with the investigation looking into the circumstances leading up to the toddler's death.
He acknowledged Shane's family and the Te Anau community had co-operated fully during the investigation.
Police were still waiting on forensic results, Mr Cowie said.
The final outcome of those results, and the investigation, was still some weeks away.
Senior Sergeant Dave Raynes, of Invercargill, said last night police would not be commenting on family concerns regarding Mr Cowie's comment that Shane's death was suspicious.
- NZPA
