Police have charged a 24-year-old female caregiver with manslaughter in connection with the death of a toddler in Medicine Hat, Alta.

The suspect was initially facing an aggravated assault charge, but that charge was upgraded on Monday after an autopsy on the toddler was completed. The suspect is also facing a charge of failure to provide the necessities of life.

"The investigation to date has shown that the child's injuries are alleged to have been sustained while receiving care at a local registered day home," a Medicine Hat Police Service press release said.

Police said the child was assaulted in the day home and had to be airlifted to Calgary with critical head injuries. The incident occurred last Monday.

The 19-month-old infant died in Alberta Children's Hospital two days later, on July 21st.

The accused is in custody and has not been named by police.

She is set to appear in court on Tuesday in Medicine Hat, which is about 300 kilometres southeast of Calgary.

The day home where the alleged incident occurred has been shutdown, police said.