Death of Edmonton toddler ‘devastating’
Police believe boy left near church Tuesday, man and woman arrested
Family members of a toddler found dead Friday identified him as Anthony Joseph Raine on social media and a gofundme page Sunday while a snow-ringed memorial in north Edmonton continued to grow.
The boy’s aunts posted photos of the toddler on a Facebook memorial as members of the public struggle to come to terms with the “devastating tragedy.”
Late Saturday night police arrested a 25-year-old woman and 26-year-old man in northwest Edmonton without incident after earlier in the day releasing security photos from a nearby Beaumaris Sobeys store taken April 17 that showed a couple with distinctive ball caps pushing a stroller.
On Sunday, as Rev. Jon Connell led an hour-long service inside the Good Shepherd Anglican Church, a steady stream of people visited a makeshift shrine on the northern edge of the building.
Overnight snow had largely covered the flowers, toys and notes left by the public, but church volunteers earlier in the morning shovelled a pathway through the snow to allow people access to the site.
One of those wishing to show his support was Brad Chalmers.
The founder of Fathers’ Rights Edmonton lives in the neighbourhood and drove to the site Sunday to place a large wooden cross and a small teddy bear.
Chalmers, who has a young daughter, said the incident was hard to fathom.
“It’s just a horrible tragedy,” he said.
“It’s our most precious resource, our children. For someone to just abandon a child like that, it’s horrific.”
Inside the church, Connell told more than three dozen parishioners that a vigil service is being planned for next week.
Connell described the event as a “devastating tragedy and loss of a life that should never happen.
“Needless to say, as a parish, we are all dreadfully sad and disappointed and dreadfully sorry for the loss of this little life.”
Connell said the toddler was robbed of his “chance to flourish, to run and jump and play and eat and drink and to find out what it’s like to eat too much candy, to have his first day at school, his first time at summer camp, his first scraped knee, his first kiss.
“It seems such a waste, so much potential lost.”
Pauline McLean, a 25-year member of the church, said she is thinking of her own children when she thinks about the toddler who died.
“I love children because I have children,” she said before the regular Sunday service. “It’s sad. It’s a very sad situation.” Father of two Cristian Ramirez, who drove into the city from suburban Sherwood Park, said it was heartening to see so many people turning out to show their support.
“It’s good to see empathy of people ... in these situations. If it’s just to bring a toy or a flower, it’s the meaning of the act that shows the support.
“I just feel for any parent who could lose a child. It’s just sad. That’s why I decided to come here and do a little bit.”
Late Sunday afternoon, police were still interviewing the accused. Edmonton police are expected to release more information today about the case.
An autopsy is scheduled for this morning at 9:30.