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.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre writes to GG calling for House recall, confidence vote after Singh declares he's ready to bring Liberals down
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has written to Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, imploring her to 'use your authority to inform the prime minister that he must' recall the House of Commons so a non-confidence vote can be held. This move comes in light of NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh publishing a letter stating his caucus 'will vote to bring this government down' sometime in 2025.
At least 2 dead and 60 hurt after a car drives into a German Christmas market in a suspected attack
A car plowed into a busy outdoor Christmas market in the eastern German city of Magdeburg on Friday, killing at least two people and injuring at least 60 others in what authorities suspect was an attack.
Judge sentences Quebecer convicted of triple murder who shows 'no remorse'
A Quebecer convicted in a triple murder on Montreal's South Shore has been sentenced to life in prison without chance of parole for 20 years in the second-degree death of Synthia Bussieres.
'I understand there's going to be a short runway,' new minister says after Trudeau shuffles cabinet
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau added eight Liberal MPs to his front bench and reassigned four ministers in a cabinet shuffle in Ottawa on Friday. But as soon as they were sworn-in, they faced questions about the political future of their government, and their leader.
Speeding drivers get holiday surprise from 'Officer Grinch'
Drivers in the Florida Keys who exceed the speed limit in school zones may run into a well-known gloomy green creature and get a surprising 'gift.'
Poilievre to Trump: 'Canada will never be the 51st state'
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is responding to U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s ongoing suggestions that Canada become the 51st state, saying it will 'never happen.'
Kelly Clarkson's subtle yet satisfying message to anyone single this Christmas
The singer and daytime-talk show host released a fireside video to accompany her 2021 holiday album, “When Christmas Comes Around” that she dubbed, “When Christmas Comes Around…Again.
16-year-old German exchange student dies after North Vancouver crash
A 16-year-old high school student from Germany who was hit by a Jeep in North Vancouver, B.C., last weekend has died in hospital, authorities confirmed.
Canadiens executive says he has 'no concern' about members of the front office traveling to Russia
Montreal executive vice president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton said he has “no concern” about members of the Canadiens’ front office travelling to Russia with the country’s war in Ukraine ongoing.