Hamilton police investigating unconfirmed report of baby buried at Wellington Street residence
Police will be at scene on Wellington Street North for several days
Hamilton police are investigating an unconfirmed report that a baby is buried at a residence on Wellington Street North.
Police said they were notified by a witness about the suspicious circumstance just after midnight Wednesday.
“We’re still investigating the accuracy of that report,” Const. Indy Bharaj said, standing outside the scene at 104 Wellington St. N., Wednesday afternoon.
Two people, a 24-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man, were arrested. Details about what charges they face are “pending,” he said, but added they were expected to appear in court later Wednesday.
Police tape surrounded a brick, three-storey duplex at 102 and 104 Wellington St. N., near Wilson Street on Wednesday. It has some boarded-up windows with broken glass and there were lock boxes on both front doors.
There were footsteps in the snow leading to both backyards.
Police are expected to be there for several days.
It is believed to be an isolated incident, Bharaj said.
Archie Wallace, who lives a few doors down from 102 and 104 Wellington, said he hasn’t seen a permanent owner in either home since at least summer 2019.
“People are going in and out of there all the time,” said Wallace, who’s lived in the neighbourhood for years.
“It’s mostly squatters. You can’t see inside because the windows are blocked.”
One neighbour, who asked not to be named out of fear for her safety, said both units have been vacant for some time and have had issues with squatters in the past.
The woman said police were there when she woke Wednesday morning.
She didn’t see anyone arrested.
The incident is under investigation by the major crime unit, which investigates sudden deaths of children under five years old.
Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Michael Ebert at 905-546-4167.
To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-8477 or crimestoppershamilton.com.