Montreal’s South Shore police have released a 33-year-old woman from custody under specific conditions related to the discovery of a deceased newborn left alone in a bus shelter on Monday morning. Longueuil police disclosed in a news release that the woman is receiving physical and psychological assistance and is under the supervision of appropriate support services. If charges are pressed, she will need to appear in court.
The incident unfolded when authorities found the baby in a bus shelter near Chambly Road and Briggs Street early Monday morning. The newborn, still attached to the placenta, was discovered naked and severely cold, as reported by the Coopérative des techniciens ambulanciers de la Montérégie, which provides paramedic services in Quebec’s Montérégie region. The baby was found unconscious and underwent resuscitation efforts until being transported to the hospital. Subsequently, the woman was taken into custody.
Although police did not confirm the woman’s relationship to the baby, they indicated the potential for an infanticide charge against her. The investigation is ongoing to verify essential details that will determine the appropriate charges in this case.
While authorities have not labeled the woman as homeless, Pierre Rousseau, in charge of the nearby shelter La Halte du coin, mentioned that she availed the shelter’s services early that morning. According to Rousseau, the woman arrived at around 3 a.m., utilizing the warming center and falling asleep in a chair. It was not until she got up a few hours later that his team noticed something unusual. The shelter’s staff shared their observations with the police following the discovery of the baby nearby.
Another incident earlier this month involved a newborn found abandoned on the doorstep of a residence on Bourgeoys Street in Longueuil. Dr. Marc-Antoine Pigeon, an emergency room physician at Charles-Le Moyne Hospital, was part of the team that attempted to resuscitate the baby without success. In some European countries, certain U.S. states, and some Canadian provinces, safe havens like baby boxes or drawers are offered as last-resort options for individuals looking to relinquish a child.
Dr. Pigeon highlighted the importance of swift attention and care for infants in such circumstances. Quebec’s Minister of Social Services, Lionel Carmant, emphasized existing support services available for individuals facing similar challenges, encouraging them to seek assistance through various channels like local CLSCs or youth protection services.
