The Toronto Police Service (TPS) on Monday announced upgraded charges for a mother whose four-month-old baby died under suspicious circumstances in a midtown apartment.
The baby’s mother, 30-year-old Karessa Edwards, has been charged with second degree murder. She was last week charged with failure to provide the necessaries of life, though this charge no longer applies due to the upgrade.
Police have now deemed the investigation a homicide.
An autopsy of the infant led to developments in the case.
The infant was first reported missing by the child’s father at around 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 20 from an apartment on Roselawn and Marlee avenues.
TPS said officers arrived at a midtown apartment and discovered the infant in need of life saving care. Though officers provided first aid at the scene, the infant later died in hospital.
The Toronto Star reported the infant was discovered on the first floor of a building where a garbage chute ends.
Edwards was scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice today.
The homicide and missing persons unit is continuing to monitor the investigation, police said in a news release.
None of the allegations against Edwards have been tested in court and she is considered innocent until proven guilty.
Anyone with information in the case has been asked to contact police at 416-808-7400 or to submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or www.222tips.com.
