Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Stabbed baby fights for life; mom in custody
A four-month-old baby was fighting for its life Thursday night and its mother was in custody after an attack that sent two other family members to hospital.
The baby, along with its nine-year-old brother who was also stabbed in the downtown apartment, were rushed to hospital in critical condition. Police said both children were stabbed in the stomach. Sources say the infant suffered the most extensive wounds.
The Free Press has learned the 35-year-old mother has recently been suffering from post-partum depression. Police, who had to use a translator to interview the woman Thursday night, are investigating what if any role that condition or any other possible mental-health issue may have played.
"Any time a stab wound happens to a four-month-old, no matter how superficial to an adult, that would be critical," Winnipeg police Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith told reporters at the scene.
The 33-year-old female victim, the sister of the woman arrested, is listed in stable condition, reportedly from a stab wound to the chest. She was stabbed while trying to protect the children, a source said.
Sources say the mother was the one who called police just after 5 p.m. Thursday. She allegedly left her apartment and calmly waited in the lobby for police to arrive.
The woman was led to a police car, her hands cuffed behind her back. She was wearing a long yellow dress and appeared to have a white gown covering part of her body.
The woman has no prior criminal record, but was taken to hospital by ambulance on Feb. 19, according to a source. She had given birth just a few weeks earlier and was reportedly suffering from post-partum depression. It’s not known how long she was hospitalized or what kind of treatment she received.
The attacks created a chaotic rush-hour scene downtown, with more than a dozen police cars, ambulances and first responders converging outside the Manitoba Housing highrise complex at 355 Kennedy St., between Ellice Avenue and Qu’Appelle Avenue.
The incident occurred one block from Central Park, a neighbourhood that is home to many refugees and immigrants.
Sources say the mother is originally from Africa, although it’s unknown how long she has been in Canada.
Police told reporters at the scene Thursday the incident is believed to be domestic in nature. Smith confirmed a female suspect had been arrested but didn’t provide further details.
Kennedy Street is often crowded on warm evenings with many of the residents who live in the building and other units in the neighbourhood. But the street was eerily quiet and deserted Thursday night.
A Winnipeg Police Service identification officer could be seen through the large main-floor windows taking photographs in the building lobby. Several Manitoba Housing security guards were also on scene.
Police are expected to release further details at a news conference Friday morning.
www.mikeoncrime.com
aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca
History
Updated on Thursday, June 3, 2010 at 7:03 PM CDT:
updates kids conditions
Updated on Friday, June 4, 2010 at 12:03 AM CDT:
adds more details
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