Infant girl found dead in garbage bin in Winnipeg’s North End, mother arrested: WPS

WARNING: This story contains details that may be disturbing for some readers. Discretion is advised. 

Winnipeg police believe a newborn baby girl was still alive when she was placed in a garbage bin in the city’s North End last month.

The baby was allegedly found dead in the bin in the back lane of a home on Boyd Avenue near Salter Street on May 3.

Police have charged the girl’s mother – a 31-year-old Winnipeg woman – with manslaughter and concealing the body of a child.

Winnipeg police say they found the infant’s body after receiving a report. Police could not divulge who found the body.

Investigators say the 31-year-old was identified as the baby’s mother and she was arrested at a home near Boyd Avenue, where the infant was found.

Boyd Avenue street sign in Winnipeg’s North End. (Credit: CityNews/Mark Neufeld)

“Born and discarded”

“Were talking about an infant, this is somebody that was born and discarded, has no chance of living a fulfilling life,” said Const. Claude Chancy at a press conference Wednesday. “So it’s extremely traumatic for the family, it’s extremely traumatic for the community at large, it’s traumatic for the first responders who attended this event.

“This is not common. And we’re all feeling this as a whole.”

The woman was taken to the hospital and “admitted for medical precautions,” though police could not specify why she needed medical attention.

Investigators with the child abuse unit placed the woman under arrest on May 10.

Police say they believe the baby was born at a home in Garden City before being moved to the garbage bin. It’s not clear how old the baby was when she was allegedly left in the bin, though police claim she was still alive.

The accused was held at the Women’s Correctional Institute in Headingley. She was charged on June 7 and remains in custody.

Police say she was charged with manslaughter and not murder because of “intention and planning,” but would not provide more detail.

This is the 23rd homicide in Winnipeg this year.

Neighbourhood shocked and troubled

Neighbour Daniel Stewart was shocked to hear about the discovery of the infant so close to where he lives.

As a parent Stewart says it’s both tragic and troubling. He wishes something could have been done to save the little girl’s life.

“Like you don’t think stuff like this happens in your neighbourhood but unfortunately it does,” said Stewart.

“I feel like we do have lots of avenues for people that need help and stuff, but just, I think people have trouble utilizing them. They need more access or knowledge about these things.”

—With files from Mark Neufeld, CityNews