Suspect assessed by mental health worker, police hours before seven-year-old’s death

EDMONTON The man accused of killing a sevenyear-old girl on Monday was assessed by city police and a mental health professional hours before the crime, an Edmonton police spokesperson said.

Officers early Monday became aware that the accused was experiencing mental health concerns, said police spokeswoman Patrycja Mokrzan in an email Friday.

Members of the Police and Crisis Team (PACT) went to the man’s home, where he was assessed by two constables and an Alberta Health Services (AHS) mental health professional, she said.

The man agreed to go see a doctor later in the day.

“When PACT left the residence, there was another friend present with (the man) providing support,” Mokrzan said in her email. “When it was learned that he did not attend the agreed-upon appointment, PACT spoke with (the man) on the phone. PACT was made aware of (the man’s) non-attendance through AHS.”

At some point in the day, Melissa Desrosiers, described by police as a friend of the man, went to the home to speak to and support him. Mokrzan said the man then left with Desrosiers and they went to her home at 43 Street and 25 Avenue in Mill Woods.

Just before 9 p.m., police arrived to find seven-year-old Bella Rose Desrosiers suffering from serious life-threatening injuries. In a Wednesday news release, police said it was reported the child was stabbed in front of Desrosiers, who tried to intervene. Police said Desrosiers attempted CPR after calling 911 until paramedics arrived.

Bella Rose was pronounced dead at the scene.

When officers arrived, the man was arrested without incident.

An autopsy Wednesday confirmed the cause of death as “sharp force injury,” police said.

Last July, the Desrosiers family experienced another tragedy when Bella Rose’s father died by suicide.

Desrosiers provided a statement to media on Wednesday, describing her daughter as “beautiful and unique.”

“Bella was the most caring and compassionate little girl,” she said. “Her being was all about heartfelt sincerity. She was always humming and singing her own soulfilled lyrics around the house.”

Desrosiers declined to comment when asked by Postmedia.

David Moss, a 34-year-old local tattoo artist, is facing second-degree murder charges.

He is scheduled to appear in court for a bail hearing on June 19 at 9 a.m.

ED KAISER Neighbours add to the growing memorial for Bella Rose Desrosiers, 7, on the front lawn of her home Wednesday. A friend of the girl’s mother is facing second-degree murder charges in her death. Police said Friday the suspect was experiencing mental health concerns before the incident.