Authorities in Longueuil, Quebec, have arrested a 33-year-old woman after a newborn was discovered at a bus station and later pronounced dead at a hospital, police confirmed. The infant was found on Monday morning, October 28, with the placenta still attached, according to an official update posted by the Service de police de l’agglomération de Longueuil (SPAL).
Police responded to a call at approximately 6:30 a.m. reporting the presence of a newborn at the station. First responders attempted lifesaving measures on site before transporting the infant to a local hospital. Despite efforts, the baby was pronounced dead at 8:20 a.m., authorities said.
What Police Have Confirmed
SPAL confirmed an arrest later the same day but did not release the name of the woman in custody or clarify her relationship to the newborn. At a press conference, police spokesperson Jacqueline Pierre said investigators were meeting with the woman to assess her mental and physical health in connection with the incident. Pierre noted that the woman could face a charge of infanticide, as reported by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).
Police emphasized that the investigation remains active and that additional details would be shared when appropriate. As of publication, officials have not disclosed how long the infant may have been at the station before being found or whether security footage has been obtained as part of the inquiry.
In a statement on social media, SPAL thanked members of the public for their cooperation and urged anyone with information to contact investigators. Authorities have not indicated whether they are seeking additional persons of interest.
Mayor Responds & Ongoing Investigation
Longueuil Mayor Catherine Fournier called the situation “deeply disturbing,” adding that city officials are in close contact with police as the investigation continues. Fournier acknowledged public concern and said the case “sadly resembles a similar case that occurred recently, but with different consequences.”
While urging patience as authorities work through the facts, the mayor underscored that the city stands ready to support residents affected by the news and encouraged the community to allow investigators the time and space needed to determine what happened.
Another Recent Case In Longueuil
The arrest follows a separate incident earlier in October in which a newborn boy was found outside a home on Bourgeoys Street in Longueuil. In that case, a person reportedly rang the doorbell around 11 p.m. and left what appeared to be a premature infant swaddled in a blanket with the umbilical cord still attached, according to coverage by CBC and the Montreal Gazette.
Authorities said the child in the earlier case was taken to a hospital, and police have continued to search for the parents while investigating the circumstances surrounding the baby’s abandonment. Officials have not publicly connected the two incidents, but the mayor’s remarks acknowledged the community’s ongoing distress after two similar reports in close succession.
Longueuil police did not immediately provide updates on the condition of the baby found earlier in the month, and no suspects have been identified in that ongoing investigation.
Safe-Surrender Context In Canada
The recent incidents have renewed discussion around newborn safe-surrender options across Canada. The Canadian Children’s Rights Council notes that Canada does not have nationwide “safe haven” laws akin to those in some U.S. jurisdictions, where parents can legally and anonymously surrender unharmed infants at designated locations such as hospitals or fire stations without facing criminal charges.
While a number of cities in Alberta and British Columbia have introduced safe-surrender boxes or similar programs at specific facilities, there is no uniform federal policy, and approaches vary by province and municipality. In the absence of standardized safe-haven laws, parents could face potential charges related to child endangerment when infants are left in unsafe conditions, authorities and advocacy groups have said.
Canadian law enforcement agencies often encourage individuals facing a crisis pregnancy to seek immediate medical care and contact local health services, hospitals, or social service organizations that can provide confidential support. Police in Longueuil did not issue a specific advisory Monday beyond asking anyone with information related to the bus station case to come forward.
Police have not released additional details about how the newborn was discovered at the bus station, who contacted authorities, or what evidence was collected at the scene. The identity of the woman arrested has been withheld pending potential charges and to protect the integrity of the investigation.
Authorities are expected to share further updates as they become available. For now, officials in Longueuil say they remain focused on gathering evidence, assessing the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death, and determining what charges, if any, will be filed.
This is a developing story, and updates will follow as police provide more information.
