Mom grieves loss of daughter, 4, on Long Plain First Nation

The mother of a four-year-old girl killed and two other children injured on Long Plain First Nation said she raised concerns about their care months before her daughter’s death.

RCMP said Tuesday they are investigating after the girl died under “suspicious circumstances” at a home Sunday on the Manitoba First Nation, located approximately 110 kilometres west of Winnipeg.

Paramedics called Manitoba First Nations Police Service officers at about 7:45 a.m. Sunday, asking for assistance at a home where the girl was reported as injured and in medical distress, RCMP said in a news release.

Officers helped paramedics with emergency treatment, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two other girls — a one-year-old and a two-year-old — were also found injured at the home. Paramedics took both to hospital. One of the girls was in critical condition, while the other was stable. Both are now stable.

The children’s mother, who the Free Press spoke to by phone while she was at Children’s Hospital in Winnipeg with her two daughters, said she was working to get her kids back in her care after they were apprehended in October 2025 by child-welfare officials.

“She was a healthy baby girl when she was born,” said the mother.

“She was growing up bumbly, a nice little girl,” she said as she wept.

The mother said she raised concerns with child-welfare officials after visiting her children in February. She said she noticed her four-year-old had a black eye, two others had bruises and she was worried they were all malnourished.

She said she sent photos of the injuries to staff, but “nobody listened to me.”

“I kept telling (child welfare), ‘there’s something wrong going on over there, can you check on them?’” she said.

The woman said she completed programs that would have enabled her to care for her children.

She said the tragedy could have been prevented had her concerns been investigated.

The First Nation Police Service called in RCMP major crimes investigators to take over the probe.

“This is extremely troubling, and we know the community will be searching for answers as to what occurred within this household,” said RCMP Supt. Rob Lasson, who commands the major crimes unit.

“We want to reassure the community that our investigators are working closely with MFNPS and Long Plain First Nation. We extend our condolences to the family, the community and everyone affected by this tragedy.”

A statement from Manitoba’s Advocate for Children and Youth confirmed it is investigating the incident, but could not provide further comment.

An interview with Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine was not accommodated Tuesday, but a statement said the death has left her “deeply saddened.”

“There are simply no words that can adequately capture the heartbreak of losing a child,” Fontaine said.

Fontaine said she was unable to comment on the specifics of the case as it remains under investigation, adding her department would be investigating alongside police.

She said the government is committed to working with child-welfare agencies across Manitoba “to strengthen supports and ensure children and families receive the care and services they need.”

RCMP, including forensics investigators, and officials from the provincial medical examiner’s office are still looking into the case.

No charges have been laid.

The mother said her message to people is to love their kids, hold them close and “trust your gut feeling when you know something’s going wrong.”

morgan.modjeski@freepress.mb.ca