Suspect charged after investigation into infant drowning in Pikangikum
Tim Brody - Editor
A 25-year-old Pikangikum First Nation resident is facing multiple charges in connection with the drowning of a two-year-old child last year.
“On August 23, 2020, members of the Pikangikum Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a possible drowning involving a two-year-old child. The victim was airlifted to Winnipeg Children’s Hospital for further medical attention, however due to the serious nature of the injuries the child passed away,” police shared in a news release.
Members of Pikangikum OPP and the North West Region Crime Unit, under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), began an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death. OPP Forensic Identification Services, the North West Region Provincial Liaison Team (PLT) and the Office of the Chief Coroner were also involved in this investigation.
The 25-year-old Pikangikum resident has been charged with:
- Causing Death by Criminal Negligence contrary to section 220(b) of the Criminal Code.
- Abandoning Child contrary to Section 218 of the Criminal Code.
- Fail To Provide the Necessaries of Life - Child or Spouse contrary to section 215(2) of the Criminal Code.
The accused was released on an undertaking with a scheduled court date of February 24 at the Ontario Court of Justice in Pikangikum.
