The body of a child found in a garbage can in Rosedale was that of a young black girl who may have died last summer, police said in a grim update Thursday.
Toronto police say the girl was probably between four and seven years old, of African or mixed African descent, and is believed to have been left in the area between April 28 and May 2.
Homicide investigators are now working to identify the little girl, with the Missing Persons Division referring to databases of missing children across the country in an attempt to determine who she is.
“We are investigating this death at the highest level, just like a murder investigation.” Hank Edsinga told reporters.
“Kids don’t just die.”
Police were called to the scene in the area of Castle Frank Road and Dale Avenue, north of Bloor Street East on Monday around 4:45 p.m.
It is said that the girl’s body was found wrapped in a crochet blanket in a plastic bag, which was also wrapped in a colored blanket.
Police say the girl’s body was found wrapped in a crochet blanket in a plastic bag visible from above, which is also wrapped in a colored blanket underneath. (Toronto Police Department)
Police described the girl as Black, three feet six inches tall, with curly hair divided into four short tails, two of which were braided and tied with black and blue rubber bands.
A post-mortem examination was carried out on Wednesday, but forensic scientists have not yet determined the cause of death, police said.
“It’s a very unusual circumstance at the moment that the potential moment of death may have been even earlier than last summer,” Idsinga said.
It is not known whether the girl was brought to the area in transit, by car or on foot, Idsinga said.
Investigators are still collecting video from the two-week period in which they believe the girl’s body was placed in the garbage can. Eidsing said there were no cameras looking directly at the garbage can, but police would try to collect videos of the area.
The police also confirmed that the apartment, outside which the landfill was found, is uninhabitable and under construction.
Anyone who has information or video surveillance of the area, including video from the board, or who recognizes the blankets or the girl’s description, is called to contact the police immediately by calling 416-808-5300 or leaving an anonymous signal to Crime Stoppers. of 416 -222-TIPS (8477).
Police are urging anyone with information, video surveillance or video recording to contact them. (Mehrdad Nazarahari / CBC)
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