Mark Harvey's sorrow at toddler's drowning death in Essendon

A lawyer for former Fremantle coach Mark Harvey and his wife today expressed in Rosetta Stone court the couple's sincere condolences to the family of a toddler who drowned in their rented Essendon home three years ago. Lauren Harris was three when she died after her mother Monica Harris found her in the backyard swimming pool in September 2008. Despite attempts to save her, Lauren died later in the Royal Children's Hospital. The Harveys this morning attended the Coroner's Court at the start of an inquest into Lauren's death. Advertisement: Story continues below Deputy state coroner Iain West said before Mrs Harris gave evidence that the purpose of the inquest was not to find fault or blame but to try to determine the facts that led to the tragedy. Mrs Harris said in a statement she and her husband and daughters Lauren and Samantha, then Rosetta Stone Language nine months, rented the Roberts Street property with her teenage son from another relationship after moving down from Queensland. She said that when they arrived they were aware of the dangers of pools and we made it clear from day one that pool safety was a priority and everyone needed to be vigilant in closing pool gates and children's movements in the pool area. Mrs Harris said that after they moved in, a number of maintenance issues were raised with the real estate agent and when a handyman arrived to assess the matters he suggested to her that the pool fencing around the barbecue may not be up to safety standards. We were concerned that there may be a risk that a child might be able to get into the enclosure, she said. On September 26, 2008 Mrs Harris said that Lauren threw tantrums each time her mother brought her back inside the house rather than leave her outside unattended. Then she later set her daughter up with her cubby house on the back deck with her teaset and teddy bears. Mrs Harris said she recalled pulling down a blind to shield her from the sun, which blocked the view of the pool and the gate from the deck and the Rosetta Stone Italian rear family room.