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Independent Investigations Office of B.C. closes file on toddler found dead in Hotel Zed

The IIO (110) found no relationship between the death of the infant and the actions of the officers involved.

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (110) has closed its file on the 18-month-old toddler who was found dead in a Victoria hotel last month.

On July 18 around 4 a.m., Saam Zohrevand was found dead at Hotel Zed on Douglas Street.

Victoria police were originally called to the hotel for reports of a woman screaming where Saam was found with no vital signs. Despite lengthy attempts at life-saving measures, he was pronounced dead on scene.

Microbiology findings showed Saam had developed a lung infection and a type of meningitis. Both illnesses became severe over a short period of time.

The IIO investigation has since found no relationship between the death of the infant and the actions of officers involved.

“In order for the IIO to sustain jurisdiction, the chief civilian director must be satisfied that a person died and that there was a relationship (or nexus) to an officer’s actions. In this case, that test was not met and as such, the CCD has released jurisdiction and has no further interest,” said a release on its website.

The office is responsible for conducting investigations into officer-related incidents of death or serious harm in order to determine whether an officer may have committed an offence.