Teen charged in death of three-year-old child on Montreal's North Shore

A 19-year-old Quebec man has been charged in the death of a three-year-old child on Montreal's North Shore.

Court records show that Yacine Mehennaoui has been charged with criminal negligence causing death, possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm and obstructing justice.

The obstruction charge stems from an allegation that he attempted to destroy evidence after Sûreté du Québec (SQ) divers searched the rivière des Mille-Îles for much of the day Tuesday looking for "any evidence relevant to the investigation."

Mehennaoui appeared by video at the Laval courthouse Tuesday afternoon. Police were called at around 5:30 p.m. to a home on 34e street in Bois-des-Filion, Que., where the toddler was found "seriously injured." 

Crown prosecutor Marie-Philippe Guimond says she objected to the release of the accused, who is scheduled to appear in court again on Thursday.

A makeshift memorial has been set up by neighbours in Bois-des-Filion, Que., on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, one day after a three-year-old child was found dead. (Rob Lurie/CTV News)

Two other people were arrested Tuesday in connection with the child's death, but the prosecutor could not say what would happen to them as police are still investigating. 

"The investigation is still going on so I can't talk more about the case or about other people who could or would have been met by the police officers. It's too early to tell at this point," Guimond said outside the court. 

The case has been transferred to Quebec provincial police, who would only confirm that the two other people arrested have been released.

A police diver searches the rivière des Mille-Îles on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, following the death of a three-year-old child in Bois-des-Filion. (Source: Noovo Info)

"Despite their efforts, the child was pronounced dead on the spot," the force stated Monday evening in a news release.

The cause of death has not been released. 

Devastated neighbours have been dropping off toys and teddy bears in a makeshift memorial outside the home.

One of them told CTV News he saw the child's mother sitting in the passenger seat of the family car Monday night, sobbing uncontrollably.

Investigators and forensic technicians at both the local and provincial levels were at the scene Tuesday to analyze the circumstances leading up to the child's death.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call police at 450-471-4121 or via the Crime Stoppers line at 1-800-711-1800.

-- with files from CTV News' Rob Lurie.