A shocking discovery unfolded at a midtown Toronto church on Sunday morning, where parishioners found a newborn baby abandoned inside a shoebox. The incident has sparked concern and highlighted the legal options available for parents in crisis.
A Distressing Discovery Before Mass
According to reports, attendees at St. Monica’s Catholic Church heard the sound of a crying infant ahead of the scheduled 11 a.m. mass. The sound led them to a shelf outside a second-floor bathroom, where they discovered the baby stashed inside a shoebox. Emergency services were immediately called to the scene.
Toronto Police confirmed they responded to a call about a found child in the area of Yonge Street and Broadview Avenue at approximately 10:40 a.m. on December 23, 2025. The newborn was swiftly transported to the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) for evaluation and care.
Mother and Child Receiving Support
In a positive update following the alarming find, police announced that the baby’s mother has been located. Authorities stated that both the mother and the infant are now receiving the necessary care and support. The Hospital for Sick Children declined to confirm any specific patient information when contacted by the media.
The location of the discovery carries a poignant, if coincidental, significance. Saint Monica, the church's namesake, is traditionally recognized as the patron saint of mothers.
Understanding Safe Surrender and the Law
This event brings focus to the legal framework surrounding infant abandonment in Ontario. While it is a criminal offence to abandon a child under the age of 10 in a manner that could endanger their life or health—an act punishable by up to five years in prison—there are safe, legal alternatives for parents facing desperate circumstances.
In Toronto, parents can safely surrender a newborn at a hospital without facing charges, provided a subsequent police investigation finds no evidence of criminal intent or harm. Authorities strongly urge parents in crisis to utilize this option or to contact the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto, which offers 24/7 support. Legal Aid Ontario also provides legal assistance for child protection matters.
Efforts to obtain a statement from the parish administration in the immediate aftermath of the incident were not successful. The community and authorities are now focused on the well-being of both the mother and the child involved in this deeply personal crisis.
