A Toronto mother is now facing criminal charges after her newborn daughter was discovered abandoned inside a shoebox at a midtown Catholic church last month. The incident has sparked a police investigation and renewed discussion about safe surrender laws for infants in Canada.
Discovery During Morning Mass
On December 21, just before 11 a.m. mass, parishioners at Saint Monica's Catholic Church heard the sound of a baby crying. The cries led them to a shoebox placed on a shelf outside a second-floor bathroom within the church, located in the Yonge Street and Broadway Avenue area.
Toronto Police were called to the scene at approximately 10:40 a.m. for a report of a found child. Emergency services quickly responded and transported the infant girl to the Hospital for Sick Children for assessment. Authorities confirmed the baby was in good health following the medical evaluation.
Charges Laid and Identity Protected
Investigators subsequently located the baby's mother. She has been charged with abandoning a child and failing to provide the necessaries of life, thereby endangering a life. These are serious criminal offences in Canada.
In a move to protect the child's future privacy, Toronto Police have stated they will not release any further information about the mother's identity. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the abandonment remains active.
Safe Surrender Options Exist in Toronto
This case highlights the legal and safe alternatives available to parents who feel unable to care for a newborn. In Toronto, a parent can surrender a baby at any hospital without facing immediate charges, provided a subsequent police investigation finds no evidence of abuse or criminal intent beyond the surrender itself.
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. For parents in crisis, experts strongly recommend utilizing the hospital drop-off option or contacting the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto, which offers 24/7 support and confidential assistance.
In a poignant coincidence, the church where the baby was found is named for Saint Monica, who is recognized as the patron saint of mothers. The infant, who was found just days before Christmas, continues to be reported as healthy and safe by authorities.
