A 33-year-old woman in Montreal’s South Shore has been released from custody under certain conditions related to a newborn’s death found alone in a bus shelter on Monday morning. Longueuil police stated in a news release that the woman is receiving physical and psychological support and is being monitored by appropriate services. She may need to appear in court if charges are filed. The baby was discovered at a bus shelter on Chambly Road near Briggs Street early Monday morning, still connected to the placenta, unclothed, and suffering from extreme cold, as reported by the paramedic service for Quebec’s Montérégie region. The baby was unresponsive when found, and emergency procedures were performed until reaching the hospital, where the woman was subsequently arrested.
While police have not confirmed if the detained woman is the baby’s mother, they are considering the possibility of pressing charges related to infanticide. The investigation is ongoing to solidify certain aspects that will influence the charges in this case.
Although authorities have not disclosed the woman’s homeless status, Pierre Rousseau from the nearby shelter La Halte du coin mentioned that the woman utilized their services early that same morning. He stated that she arrived around 3 am and later fell asleep after using the warming center, arousing suspicions when she suddenly rose from her seat. Rousseau declined to provide specific details due to the active investigation but mentioned that his team shared relevant information with the police. The law enforcement took custody of the woman, but they did not confirm if she was the same individual arrested in connection with the baby’s demise.
Recently, another newborn was discovered at a home entrance on Bourgeoys Street in Longueuil, also with the umbilical cord intact. Dr. Marc-Antoine Pigeon, an emergency room physician at Charles-Le Moyne Hospital, was part of the team that attempted to resuscitate the baby unsuccessfully. While some regions offer baby boxes or drawers as safe options for abandoning infants, Pigeon expressed the importance of ensuring rapid attention and care for babies in distress.
Regarding the possibility of implementing baby boxes in Quebec, Lionel Carmant, the Quebec minister overseeing social services, emphasized the existing support services available for individuals facing such situations. He highlighted the importance of seeking help through various avenues like local CLSCs or youth protection services.