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
LIVE UPDATES Luigi Mangione, 26, arrested in connection with CEO shooting
Luigi Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Penn., after he was spotted at a McDonald’s, authorities say. The suspect was born and raised in Maryland and graduated from Ivy League University of Pennsylvania.
Canada Post warns no end in sight for strike after receiving latest union proposals
As the Canada Post strike involving more than 55,000 workers neared the end of its 25th day, the postal service warned that a speedy resolution is unlikely.
Liberal government survives third Conservative non-confidence vote
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's latest attempt to topple the minority Liberal government in a non-confidence vote failed on Monday, thanks to the New Democrats.
Trudeau says dealing with Trump will be 'a little more challenging' than last time
Justin Trudeau says dealing with incoming president Donald Trump and his thundering on trade will be 'a little more challenging' than the last time he was in the White House.
Montreal man retiring early after winning half of the $80 million Lotto-Max jackpot
Factor worker Jean Lamontagne, 63, will retire earlier than planned after he won $40 million on Dec. 3 in the Lotto-Max draw.
Rupert Murdoch fails in bid to change family trust, New York Times reports
A Nevada commissioner has ruled against Rupert Murdoch's bid to change his family trust to consolidate control of his media empire in the hands of his son Lachlan, the New York Times reported on Monday.
Katie Holmes refutes story about daughter Suri Cruise’s fortune
Katie Holmes has posted a screen grab of a Daily Mail article, which reported that her 18-year old daughter, whose father is Tom Cruise, is now a "millionaire."
Family spokesman says slain Edmonton security guard had only been working 3 days
A spokesman for the family of a security guard who police say was murdered while patrolling an Edmonton apartment building last week says the man had only been on the job for three days.
Sask. hockey player recovering after near fatal skate accident during game
The Sask East Hockey League (SEHL) has released details of a near fatal accident at one of its games over the weekend – which saw a Churchbridge Imperials player suffer serious injuries after being struck with a skate.