Charges pending in death of Edmonton girl, 7, police say
EDMONTON Heartbroken neighbours of a “happy” little girl who died in a Mill Woods home Monday after police were called to a stabbing say she sold lemonade in support of the Stollery Children’s Hospital.
Edmonton police found the girl suffering life-threatening injuries around 8:45 p.m. at the home near 25 Avenue and 43 Street.
The child died at the scene and one person was taken into custody. Police are calling the death suspicious and homicide detectives are investigating.
Melissa Desrosiers confirmed to Postmedia on Tuesday that the victim was her seven-year-old daughter, Bella Rose.
She said Bella Rose was a huge advocate for mental health following the death of her father in July 2019 from suicide.
Edmonton police spokesperson Patrycja Mokrzan said more information will be provided on Wednesday, but added that charges are pending.
Marta Sanchez and her husband Jose have lived in the area for the past 20 years and knew the family a little bit through activities like community block parties. The child had also participated in a citywide event where kids sold lemonade in support of the Stollery Children’s Hospital.
“I couldn’t sleep last night,” Marta Sanchez said. “We’re very sad for these people.”
Jose Sanchez said his granddaughter attended the same school as Bella Rose. He owns a bakery and would sometimes bring treats to the girl’s house, which is just down the street.
Debbie Smith, who has lived in the neighbourhood for three years, described Bella Rose as “beautiful.”
She said she plans to put together a memorial for her.
“It’s terrible what happened in my neighbourhood,” Smith said. “I was shocked. I was crying.”
Police on Tuesday morning remained at the property, with the street barricaded off to traffic and yellow police tape surrounding the house. Officers could be seen in the backyard, which has jungle gym equipment, a trampoline and swings.
Sherri Doucette, who also lives down the road, described the neighbourhood as being great and friendly, a community where she and her husband raised two children.
She too knew the little girl and her family as friendly neighbours.
“The family, in general, was very sweet,” Doucette said. “I would leave for work and one of the parents would be walking the kids to the bus. The kids were always happy.”
Jan Reimer, executive director of the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters, in an email offered condolences to friends and family of the girl.
“It is alarming the increased number of women and girls killed in Alberta and across the country since the pandemic began,” she said. “Each loss is felt (throughout) the whole community.”
If deemed a homicide, it will be the seventh in the city this year.
The last homicide reported by city police was on March 9. Kirk Dallas Powder Taylor, 42, was shot dead near 97 Street and 106 Avenue.
The death in Mill Woods follows a double murder-suicide in Strathcona County earlier this month. A mother and daughter were found slain on May 4 at their home on Range Road 222 along with a dog. A man was also found dead by his own hand.