The mother of Rosalie Gagnon, a two-year-old girl whose body was found in a garbage bin last week in the Charlesbourg area of Quebec City, was charged with second-degree murder of the child.

Charges of second-degree murder and committing an indignity to a corpse were filed against the Audrey Gagnon Friday morning at the Quebec City Courthouse.

Gagnon's two-year-old daughter Rosalie was found dead last week.

Audrey Gagnon was charged with arson and obstruction of justice after being taken into custody last week. Her appearance on Friday was brief, lasting only two minutes.

Quebec City police have previously said that Gagnon was the only suspect in her daughter's death and the criminal investigation was ongoing.

Rosalie was repeatedly stabbed and found dead in a garbage can near a single-family home in Quebec City's Charlesbourg borough.

Gagnon was arrested last Wednesday, along with a man who was released without charges.

The tragic story has triggered an outpouring of grief for toddler, including a silent march in her memory earlier this week. People have also been leaving stuffed animals near the spot where her body was found.

Gagnon's next court appearance is scheduled for June 13. In the meantime, her lawyer could ask for bail, but for now, she remains behind bars.

 

With files from the Canadian Press.