Montreal mom accused of abandoning toddler to remain at psychiatric institution for another 30 days
The LaSalle woman, 34, was arrested and charged in June in connection with her young daughter’s high-profile disappearance. Her bail was denied last month.
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SALABERRY-DE-VALLEYFIELD — The Montreal mother accused of abandoning her three-year-old daughter in June appeared briefly by videoconference at the Valleyfield courthouse Friday, but will remain at a psychiatric institute for another 30 days.
The 34-year-old woman was ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation at the Philippe-Pinel Institute in Montreal after she was denied bail last month. On Friday, her lawyer Olivier Béliveau said the institute asked for a month-long extension to complete the evaluation.
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She is charged with child abandonment and criminal negligence causing bodily harm. Details that could identify her or her daughter cannot be made public.
The accused wore a grey crew-neck sweater and had her hair pulled back as she appeared by video Friday. She appeared passive and calm, and nodded as the judge explained what would happen next. She said she understood and thanked the judge.
Outside the courtroom, prosecutor Marie-Ève Côté said the Crown hopes to get the full report based on the psychiatric evaluation in September. In the meantime, she said the mother will remain at the Philippe-Pinel Institute.
“It’s a usual request that we have,” she said of the hospital’s ask for an extension. “It’s a complete evaluation that was requested so it’s something we see very often.”
Asked about the young girl’s health condition and who is caring for her, Côté told reporters she could not provide those details. She also noted she was present “only for the postponement” while the prosecutor in charge of the case is on vacation.
The mother from LaSalle first reported her toddler missing on June 15 when she stopped at a fireworks store in Coteau-du-Lac, about 60 kilometres west of Montreal.
The Sûreté du Québec launched an investigation and set up a command post near the business. Police and search teams combed through fields and near highways in both Quebec and Ontario as part of extensive search efforts to locate the young child.
A dead chihuahua that matched the description of the family dog seen with the mother and daughter was found the following day along a highway about 10 kilometres from the fireworks store.
The woman was arrested and charged with child abandonment while her daughter was still missing.
The toddler was found alive June 18, on the edge of a highway near Casselman, Ont., nearly 150 kilometres from Montreal, after she was spotted by an Ontario Provincial Police drone. Authorities credited public tips with helping to narrow the search area.
The woman has been detained throughout the proceedings and underwent a two-day bail hearing in early July, where the prosecution opposed her release. There is a publication ban on the content of evidence presented during the hearing.
Her lawyer declined to speak to reporters Friday. Last month, Béliveau said he would consider all defence options after bail was denied.
In June, he said his client was in “high distress,” and described her as someone who “needs help.” He added she was “extremely relieved” when she learned her daughter was alive.
The next court appearance is set for Sept. 8. The mother is expected to be brought in from Philippe-Pinel Institute so that she can appear in person.
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