Public Asked to Help Identify Little Girl
Inspector Hank Idsinga the Homicide and Missing Person’s Unit is working closely with 53 Division and the Child and Youth Advocacy Centre on the investigation.
“We are investigating this death at its highest level, just like a Homicide investigation and we have the investigative assets in place to deal with wherever the evidence takes us,” Idsinga said at a May 5 news conference. “Our first priority is to establish the identity of this little girl. The investigators will leave no stone unturned. We will identify her and do all the work we can for her.”
A post mortem examination was completed on May 4 and the evidence revealed the human remains are that of a little girl between the ages of four and seven.
The Forensic Pathologist estimated the girl had been dead since Fall 2021 or even earlier.
The child is described as Black of African or mixed African descent, 3’ 6” tall with a thin build.
She has all her teeth, black curly hair that is sectioned in four short ponytails, two of which were braided and secured with black and blue elastic bands.
She was covered in a crochet blanket inside a plastic bag that was wrapped in a colourful blanket.
At around 4.45 p.m., police received a 9-1-1 call to attend a residential unoccupied property under construction on Dale Ave. where the remains were discovered.
Detective-Sergeant Renee Foley, of 53 Division, said officers located what they believed were human remains inside a construction disposal bin.
The coroner examined the remains and ordered an autopsy.
Foley said 53 Division started an investigation and enlisted the help of the Homicide and Missing Persons Units.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the person who found the remains and called police immediately as well as the neighbours and homeowners in the area who have been so helpful with us over the last several days,” she noted.
“We believe she was left in this area sometime between Thursday, April 28 at noon and Monday, May 2 at 4.45 p.m.”, said Foley.
Investigators are not yet ready to release a cause of death.
Anyone in the area with information, including security video or who recognizes the blankets or victim description, can contact police.
Anyone with information can contact 53 Division at (416) 808-5300 or Crime Stoppers at (416) 222-TIPS (8477).
