CBC News

· Posted: May 13, 2026 9:34 AM EDT | Last Updated: May 13

The mother of a 22-month-old girl has been charged with first-degree murder after the child died in hospital Wednesday, Toronto police say.

Police were called to a home near Midland Avenue and Steeles Avenue E. in Scarborough at about 9:40 a.m. Tuesday, according to Det.-Sgt. Henri Marsman with force's homicide unit.

When emergency personnel arrived, they found the girl without vital signs.

Marsman says first responders performed life-saving measures and the toddler was revived and taken to hospital, where she died a day later.

The child's father, who was not home at the time, called 911, he said. Police were already in the house when the father returned home.

The woman, 37, was arrested at the scene, is now in police custody and is due in court on Thursday morning.

A Toronto police officer is shown near the home where a toddler was found without vital signs on Tuesday. The girl's mother has been charged in her death, police say. (Paul Smith/CBC)

"While we understand there may be significant interest in this case, at this time I won't be speaking about motive. This is an ongoing investigation into an extremely tragic event," Marsman said.

"It's been hard for the first responders, the officers that first entered the house as well as the paramedics, the firefighters and all officers that have had contact with this case."

The cause of the girl's death has not been released and is pending an autopsy, Marsman said. Police are also investigating the woman's background.

Marsman said the woman's other child was not at home at the time of the incident and is safe.

Residents who live in the area should expect to see police officers in their neighbourhood in the coming days as the investigation continues, he said.