Ottawa

Woman charged with 2nd-degree murder over death of newborn in Kingston

The 22-year-old was initially arrested and charged with improperly interfering with a dead body, according to police.

Police say there's no risk to public safety

A white SUV with red and blue stripes on its side and the word "police" written in big blue letters.
Kingston Police say a woman has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder following the death of a newborn child. (Dan Taekema/CBC)

Kingston Police say a woman has been charged with second-degree murder following the suspicious death of a newborn.

The Major Crime Unit, along with the office of the chief coroner and Ontario Forensic Pathology Service, began investigating a death in the 1400 block of Albany Drive in the city's west end on July 27, according to a media release.

Two days later, a 22-year-old woman was arrested and charged with improperly interfering with a dead body, police said.

Following an investigation, she was "charged with the second-degree murder of a newborn child," the release said.

"Due to the circumstances of the incident under investigation, no prior release was made, as there was no apparent risk to public safety," it continued. "This remains the case today."

Police are asking anyone with information to contact detectives or Crime Stoppers.

A spokesperson for the service said the investigation is ongoing and officers are asking anyone in the GTA who has information about what happened to contact them.