Toronto mother charged with murder in connection with baby boy’s death

Toronto Police Service (TPS) says the mother now faces an enhanced charge of second-degree murder due to the death of her four-month-old baby boy last week in the city center.

TPS officers were called to the Toronto Community Housing building on Roselawn Avenue near Marlee Avenue on November 20 just before 11:30 a.m. in reference to an infant reported missing by her father.

The officers went to the residential unit, where they found a four-month-old boy who was transported to the hospital with serious injuries. He was pronounced dead in hospital.

TPS initially charged the infant’s mother, 30-year-old Karessa Edwards of Toronto, with failing to provide the necessities of life. On Monday, investigators raised charges to second-degree murder after the infant’s autopsy.

The woman was scheduled to appear in court this morning.

Authorities would not comment on whether the infant lived in the building or where the baby boy was found in the building. Police said the homicide unit continues to monitor the investigation.

Last week, City Councilor Mike Colle (Eglinton-Lawrence) said support had been made available to staff and tenants.

“It’s just incredibly terrible, bad, terrible, terrible news to hear about a four-month-old baby who died right here,” Colle said Wednesday. “It’s a punch in the gut.”