'Devastating': Residents reeling after boy, 5, allegedly murdered by mother near Montreal
Friends and strangers have set up a makeshift memorial outside the home of a five-year-old boy who was found dead yesterday in Coteau-du-lac.
What makes the tragedy worse, they say, is that he was allegedly murdered.
"It's hard to understand it. It's hard to wrap my brain around what could have happened and the circumstances that led to that. I'm always interested in the thought process and the circumstances, and I don't have that here," said Stephane De Grasse.
Police were called to a home early Wednesday morning, where they found the young boy unresponsive. He was pronounced dead shortly after.
Initially, investigators were treating the boy's death as suspicious. Later that day, a 29-year-old woman was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
Sources told Noovo Info that she is the child's mother. Any information that could identify the child, including the mother's name, is protected by a publication ban.
Neighbour Amanda Brenie says that's what makes this tragedy so much worse.
"We're such a small community. A lot of children are here. It's only children, right? So when we hear things that happen like this, it comes to affect us," she said.
But she says she is also thinking of the 29-year-old woman.
"It's devastating. I mean, I feel for the mothers, some mothers, fathers. If you have anything, like, please reach out. It's so sad to see a young child lose their life. We have to do something. We have to come together as a community. We can't be afraid to speak up," Brenie said.
A makeshift memorial has sprung up outside the home where the child was found.
The flowers and toys are a reminder of a life taken so young.
The accused will make her next court appearance on Sept. 20. Meanwhile, an autopsy will be performed on the five-year-old boy to determine the exact cause of his death.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Shohei Ohtani first player in major league history to hit 50 homers, steal 50 bases in a season
Shohei Ohtani has become the first player in major league history to hit 50 homers and steal 50 bases in a season.
The RCMP has lost 205 firearms since 2020, including 3 submachine-guns
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has lost 205 firearms since 2020, including more than 120 handguns and at least five fully automatic weapons like machine-guns.
PM Trudeau names Anita Anand transport minister after Pablo Rodriguez quits cabinet
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tapped Treasury Board President Anita Anand to take on additional duties as Canada's minister of transport on Thursday.
Tensions flare between Poilievre and Singh in the House after NDP says it will back Trudeau Liberals
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh got into a heated exchange in the House of Commons on Thursday, just minutes after Singh announced his party would not be supporting the Conservatives’ first non-confidence motion against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government.
Canadian women among those who allege Harrods boss sexually abused them
CTV News has learned there are multiple Canadian women alleging they were victims of sexual abuse at the hands of the late Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed.
Missing six-year-old boy disappeared after school breakfast program: Manitoba RCMP
Shamattawa RCMP are searching for a missing six-year-old boy who hasn’t been seen since Wednesday morning.
University of Ottawa antisemitism advisor resigns over post celebrating pager explosions in Lebanon
The University of Ottawa's special advisor on antisemitism says he has resigned following posts he made on social media celebrating the pager explosions in Lebanon this week.
Francois Legault wants the Trudeau government to fall
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is calling on the Bloc Quebecois to topple the Trudeau government next Wednesday and trigger a federal election.
Influencer couple denies leaving kids alone on cruise
For most people, dinner on a cruise ship is a time to relax. But when influencer couple Abby and Matt Howard decided to kick back with a dinner à deux, they ended up kicking up a storm.