Northern Ontario couple charged in their baby girl's 2022 death
A northern Ontario couple has been charged in the death of their three-month-old baby girl who was found in September 2022 with no vital signs.
Jeffrey and Michelle Doonan of King Kirkland are charged in the death of their three-month-old baby girl on Sept. 3, 2024. (Oct. 22, 2019)
Jeffrey Doonan, 32, was charged Tuesday with second-degree murder in the case.
He and his wife, 33-year-old Michelle Doonan, are also charged with criminal negligence causing death and failing to provide necessaries of life, Ontario Provincial Police said in an update Wednesday.
The allegations against the mother allegedly occured between May 16 and Sept. 3, 2022, court documents obtained by CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca show.
The couple is from King Kirkland, a community about six kilometres east of Kirkland Lake.
OPP officers from the Temiskaming detachment were called to help paramedics at a home on Chamberlain Road 5 in Chamberlain Township around 4 p.m. Sept. 3, 2022.
The baby, who police confirmed was female, was taken to hospital with no vital signs and later pronounced dead.
Michelle and Jeffrey Doonan's three-month-old daughter Violet was found at a home with no vital signs on Sept. 3, 2022.
No word on the cause of death.
"That’s for the coroner to speak on, not police," OPP Const. Phil Young told CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca in an email.
CTV News has reached out to the coroner's office asking it to confirm the infant's cause of death and is awaiting a reply.
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
"A thorough investigation was conducted by the Temiskaming OPP crime unit under the direction of the OPP criminal investigation branch, with assistance from the OPP northeast region support team and OPP forensic identification services, in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner and Ontario Forensic Pathology Service," police said.
The couple remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court in Haileybury on Nov. 13.
"Anyone with any information relating to this investigation is asked to call the Temiskaming OPP at 1-888-310-1122," police said.
"Should you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000."
The charges have not been proven in court.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE UPDATES
LIVE UPDATES Anger, vitriol against health insurers filled social media in the wake of UnitedHealthcare CEO's killing
The masked gunman who stalked and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson used ammunition emblazoned with the words 'deny,' 'defend' and 'depose,' a law enforcement official said Thursday. Here's the latest.
Man wanted for military desertion turns himself in at Canada-U.S. border
A man wanted for deserting the U.S. military 16 years ago was arrested at the border in Buffalo, N.Y. earlier this week.
'At the dawn of a third nuclear age,' senior U.K. commander warns
The head of Britain’s armed forces has warned that the world stands at the cusp of a 'third nuclear age,' defined by multiple simultaneous challenges and weakened safeguards that kept previous threats in check.
AI modelling predicts these foods will be hit hardest by inflation next year
The new year won’t bring a resolution to rising food costs, according to a new report that predicts prices to rise as much as five per cent in 2025.
Alleged Alberta Bitcoin extortionist, arsonist arrested
Authorities have arrested Finbar Hughes, a man wanted in connection with alleged plots in Calgary and Edmonton that threatened to burn victims' homes if they did not pay him Bitcoin ransoms.
The National Weather Service cancels tsunami warning for the U.S. West Coast after 7.0 earthquake
The National Weather Service canceled its tsunami warning for the U.S. West Coast after a powerful earthquake shook parts of California on Thursday.
Pete Davidson, Jason Sudeikis and other former 'SNL' cast members reveal how little they got paid
Live from New York, it’s revelations about paydays on 'Saturday Night Live.'
Patrick Brown set to make committee appearance on foreign interference
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown will appear before a Parliamentary committee on foreign interference this afternoon.
Congo 'on alert' over mystery flu-like disease that killed dozens
Public health officials in Africa urged caution Thursday as Congo's health minister said the government was on alert over a mystery flu-like disease that in recent weeks killed dozens of people.
Barrie
-
Snow squall warning issued for Simcoe County, with up to 50 cm of snow possible
Snow squall warnings for most of central Ontario with snow accumulations up to 50 centimetres likely.
-
Crews attend 2 separate tractor-trailer collisions on Hwy 11
Heavy tow equipment was called to two separate collisions involving tractor-trailers Wednesday evening along Highway 11 as snow squalls picked up through the area making driving conditions messy.
-
Barrie mayor applauds Ford's pledge to help deal with homeless encampments in public spaces
Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall is applauding Ontario Premier Doug Ford for his pledge to back municipalities dealing with homeless encampments in public spaces.
Toronto
-
2 men, 4 teens charged in Markham jewelry store robbery as police search for 6 more suspects
York Regional Police have charged four teenage boys and two men and are looking for six more suspects in connection with a jewelry store robbery in Markham on Wednesday.
-
'It was like I was brainwashed': 2 Ontarians lose $230K to separate AI-generated cryptocurrency ad scams
Two Ontarians collectively lost $230,000 after falling victim to separate AI-generated social media posts advertising fraudulent cryptocurrency investments.
-
'Enough is enough:' Doug Ford says municipalities will be given 'enhanced tools' to respond to encampments
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is promising new legislation to target homeless encampments around the province and is threatening to use the notwithstanding clause to get it done.
Ottawa
-
OPP lay charges against two Ottawa towing companies
Ontario Provincial Police have laid numerous charges against two local towing companies.
-
Ottawa family urge government to approve husband and father's paperwork to get him back from Lebanon
Being home for the holidays is a common desire at this time of year, but for one Ottawa family, they say it's a life-saving request.
-
Quebec police arrest man, 51, in connection with death in Val-des-Monts
Provincial police in Quebec have announced charges against a 51-year-old man following a woman's death in the Outaouais region this week.
Kitchener
-
developingdeveloping Arrest made, replica firearm seized, after early morning standoff in Stratford
One woman has been sent to hospital as Stratford Police investigate an intimate violence investigation Thursday morning.
-
One person sent to hospital after collision near Brantford
One person was sent to hospital after a collision involving a tractor trailer and a pedestrian near Brantford early Thursday morning.
-
jeewan chanicka no longer Waterloo Regional District School Board director
The Waterloo Region District School Board is under new leadership.
London
-
Digital billboard comes loose over Veterans Memorial Parkway
Emergency crews on scene at Veterans Memorial Parkway near Gore Road for a large digital billboard came loose from an overpass and is hanging down blocking traffic.
-
Teen charged in connection to Ingersoll school fire
Oxford OPP have charged a teenager in connection to a recent school fire in Ingersoll.
-
Conditions deteriorate, road closures and hydro outages reported
If you’re begging for the snow to stop, unfortunately reprieve is not on the way just yet.
Windsor
-
14-year-old boys charged with gunpoint robbery and kidnapping
Windsor police officers have arrested two 14-year-old boys related to a kidnapping and gunpoint robbery in south Windsor.
-
Suspect wanted, another arrested following string of break-ins
One man has been arrested following a string of commercial break-ins, according to police.
-
Road closures for Windsor Santa Claus Parade 2024
As the Windsor Parade Corporation gets ready for the 57th Annual Windsor Santa Claus Parade, there are several road closures and bus detours planned.
Montreal
-
WEATHERWEATHER Montreal hit with first major snow fall of the year
Montrealers woke up on Thursday to the first real dump of snow as winter looks ready to set in.
-
The majority of 17-month-old babies in Quebec use a screen every day: study
Screens have found their way into families and are now an integral part of everyday life. Even under the age of two, babies in Quebec are using screens every day. Toddlers from low-income households use screens more frequently, according to a report by the Quebec statistics institute (ISQ) published on Thursday.
-
'Name what things are': Recognizing 'femicide' 35 years after the Montreal massacre
Ahead of the 35th anniversary of the Montreal Massacre, Annie Ross, a mechanical engineering professor at Polytechnique Montreal, said she often thinks of those who lived through the tragedy but still suffer silently.
Winnipeg
-
Jordan’s Principle spending, Manitoba requests only increasing
In the last five years, the number of approved Jordan’s Principle requests and the subsequent spending have nearly tripled.
-
Majority of Manitobans accessing Harvest Manitoba services are female: report
A new report shows the majority of people accessing Harvest Manitoba’s food bank services are female
-
University of Manitoba researcher develops early detection for deadly blood cancer
A groundbreaking study by a University of Manitoba professor is bringing hopes of accurate predictions in patients with a deadly blood cancer called multiple myeloma.
Atlantic
-
Weather update: Conditions in the Maritimes change Thursday night
In the thick of a mix of snow and rain, accompanied in some cases by high winds, the Maritimes will see a change in weather conditions Thursday night into Friday.
-
Police search for Halifax bank robber who fled on bike
Halifax Regional Police are searching for a suspect in connection with a robbery at a city bank.
-
P.E.I. town backs away from pickleball plan that prompted mayor to resign
A town in central Prince Edward Island has decided not to proceed with a contentious pickleball plan that cost the community its mayor.
N.L.
-
'Kids are scared': Random attacks have residents of small-city N.L. shaken
Mount Pearl, near St. John's, has been the scene for three random attacks in November. Police have arrested and charged seven youth.
-
'They're sitting ducks:' More women with disabilities unhoused due to abuse, violence
New data show women with disabilities are more likely to be forced into homelessness because of violence or abuse.
-
GivingTuesday: Food banks need help, but charity won't end hunger, advocates say
It's GivingTuesday, and some directors of food banks and anti-poverty groups say the day underlines a conundrum for their organizations.
Calgary
-
WATCH LIVEWATCH LIVE Memorial for CTV Calgary broadcaster Darrel Janz
Please join us for a special presentation of the celebration of life for Darrel Janz, a longtime Calgary broadcaster who died last month.
-
Glenmore Landing redevelopment defeated by vote at Calgary council
Calgary city council has defeated a motion to rezone a piece of land in Glenmore Landing to allow for a high-density development in the area.
-
New Stampeder QB Vernon Adams Jr. visits McMahon Stadium with high hopes for 2025 season
The Calgary Stampeders’ new number one quarterback has arrived in Calgary. After spending American Thanksgiving in Arizona, Vernon Adams checked out the facilities at McMahon Stadium and met with the media.
Edmonton
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Ottawa, Alberta announce $162M rare disease drug agreement
Alberta has entered a $162-million agreement with the federal government to provide access to drugs for rare diseases.
-
30 robberies involving the swarming of store employees reported to Edmonton police
The Edmonton Police Service is warning of a new shoplifting trend where groups of young people swarm store employees to steal expensive products.
-
Number of inactive oil and gas wells in Alberta fell 5 per cent in 2023: report
A new report says Alberta's oil and gas producers spent $769 million cleaning up old wells in 2023, a $73 million increase from the prior year.
Regina
-
Roughriders re-sign veteran quarterback Trevor Harris, inside source confirms
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have re-signed veteran quarterback Trevor Harris, according to TSN's Farhan Lalji.
-
Ottawa providing more than $265M to help Sask. upgrade electrical grid, build renewable power projects
The federal government says it will be providing Saskatchewan with more than $265 million to help build more renewable power projects as well as modernize and upgrade the province’s electrical grid.
-
Saskatchewan singer receives surprise message from King Charles III
Saskatchewan singer-songwriter Jeffrey Straker received an early Christmas present recently, from King Charles III.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon firefighters called back to home after ember rekindles the next morning
Saskatoon firefighters had to return to the scene of a house fire on Thursday morning after an ember in the attic rekindled.
-
'Acts of aggression' increase on Saskatoon Transit, violence against drivers drops
Mike Moellenbeck, director of Saskatoon Transit, said "acts of aggression" can be classified as an intent to do harm, but physical violence hasn't happened.
-
Ottawa providing more than $265M to help Sask. upgrade electrical grid, build renewable power projects
The federal government says it will be providing Saskatchewan with more than $265 million to help build more renewable power projects as well as modernize and upgrade the province’s electrical grid.
Vancouver
-
No tsunami threat to B.C. after powerful earthquake off California
Emergency management officials say there is no tsunami threat to British Columbia after a powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck off California on Thursday morning.
-
Investors made up 25% of B.C. homebuyers in new StatsCan analysis
Real estate investors made up approximately one-quarter of homebuyers across B.C. between 2018 and 2020, according to a new analysis from Statistics Canada.
-
5-year sentence for B.C. man found with prohibited firearm at Canada-U.S. border
A B.C. man has been sentenced to five years in prison on a number of firearms charges stemming from the search of his vehicle at the Canada-U.S. border.
Vancouver Island
-
No tsunami threat to B.C. after powerful earthquake off California
Emergency management officials say there is no tsunami threat to British Columbia after a powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck off California on Thursday morning.
-
Creative Taylor Swift fans craft ways around bracelet rules for Vancouver shows
When BC Place stadium announced a ban on loose objects and large bags for Taylor Swift's upcoming shows in Vancouver, it put some Swifties in a bind — what to do with the hundreds of friendship bracelets that are traditionally swapped at the superstar's shows?
-
B.C. launches review of 911 services after complaints about costs, transparency
British Columbia is launching a review of the province's 911 emergency service after complaints about escalating costs and lack of transparency.
