Mother defends herself after daughter's drowning in Whroo

A mother is speaking out after her two-year-old daughter drowned in a dam on a rural property in Whroo, Victoria. Aleece Shearer says she is heartbroken by online criticism suggesting she left her daughter unattended before the tragedy. On Sunday, Shearer and her daughter, Mackenzie, were visiting a friend’s farm where they were feeding animals. Shearer claims they were in a fenced area when Mackenzie disappeared as she turned her back briefly. Shearer searched for her daughter and found her unconscious in a dam just four minutes later. The mother emphasized that the properties were separated by a six-foot fence, which many children have safely played around. Shearer expressed her shock at the accusations of negligence. "She was being watched," said Shearer. Emergency services were called to the scene and performed CPR, but were unable to revive the little girl. Shearer described Mackenzie as a lively child who loved animals. A family friend has set up a GoFundMe campaign to assist Shearer, who is a single mother and also cares for her disabled father. The community is offering support during this difficult time as police investigate the incident and will prepare a report for the coroner.