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RIVERTON — The toddler who was found in a Riverton canal Tuesday afternoon has died.
A family member told KSL his lungs had collapsed and he would not be able to breathe on his own. Hospital officials say 2-year-old Donaven Lopez was taken off life support and passed away around 12:30 Wednesday afternoon.
"It was hard enough for me to say goodbye, and hold his little cold hand, tell him that he would be with the angels," said Patty Darling, the boy's great grandmother. "He can look over his younger brother and his sister, and he can be their guardian angel."
Donaven was playing with his uncle and some other children in a park near 4400 West and 12000 South when he wandered off and went missing. After about 20 minutes of searching, police were called and searchers began looking in the nearby canal.
The boy's body was found found wedged underneath an irrigation control device. Officials said he may have been in the water between 30 and 40 minutes.
Firefighters began CPR and Donaven was transferred by medical helicopter to Primary Children's Medical Center, where he remained on life support throughout the night.
"He was just a really sweet, fun loving boy," Darling said. "He had a smile that just made you smile. You could be so angry at him for something and as soon as he smiled at you it was over."
Darling expressed some frustration in regards to the hole in the fence. Some Riverton residents said there had been numerous complaints to city officials about repairing the hole.
"That hole in the fence really irritates me," Darling said. "It should not have been there. It's right there along the canal."
That hole in the fence really irritates me. It should not have been there. It's right there along the canal.
–Patty Darling, great-grandmother
#darling_q
City planners were investigating but said they were unaware of any complaints about the fence and noted that the fence is prone to wind damage and vandalism and requires frequent upkeep throughout the year.
"So far we have not been able to unearth any current complaints," Riverton Assistant City Manager Jeff Hawker said Wednesday.
Hawker said the investigation is continuing, and plans are currently being addressed to make the area more secure in light of the recent tragedy.
"There are several options being discussed," Hawker said. "We're heartbroken over this incident. We want to do everything that is possible for us to do to prevent this from happening in the future."
Darling said that there has been some discussion among the family about taking legal action against the city, but no final decisions have been made.
"I'm very angry, but I don't want to deal with that part of it right now," she said.
Darling said funeral arrangement have not yet been made. The boy's family announced that an account* has been established in Donaven's name at Cyprus Credit Union to assist in funeral expenses.
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Written with contributions from Benjamin Wood and Jennifer Stagg.
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**ksl.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does ksl.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
