Next steps in baby death case depend on autopsy results
The child was found buried in the basement of 104 Wellington St. N.
The next steps in the Hamilton police investigation into the short life and death of a baby girl — found buried in the dirt floor of a Wellington Street North basement Thursday — depend on what is uncovered by medical examiners.
The newborn’s parents, 34year-old Nathan O’Brien and 24-year-old Winnie Ensor, appeared by video in court Friday. They are charged with criminal negligence causing death and interfering with a dead body.
The severity of those charges could increase or decrease depending on what is found in the autopsy, said Det. Sgt. Jim Callender of the Hamilton police major crime unit.
He expects to have results from the physical examination by the end of this weekend, but other testing, such as toxicology, could take months.
The unusual and tragic case began shortly after midnight Feb. 24 when police received information from a community member that a newborn had been buried at 104 Wellington St. N., a brick, semi-detached home near Wilson Street.
What exactly this witness said has not been shared. However, it was detailed and credible enough for police to take swift action.
This information formed part of the evidence police used to charge the parents with criminal negligence before the baby girl’s body had even been found, Callender confirmed.
Little is known about the newborn girl’s short life.
Callender could not say when exactly she was born, died and was buried. However, he believes it happened in short order and not long before police were called to the residence.
“The whole event, incident is a matter of days,” he said.
The house has been vacant for some time. It’s not clear how long the couple were staying there, but police believe they sought shelter there intermittently.
At times, others stayed there too — neighbours reported both 104 Wellington and the attached unit at 102 having issues with trespassers. But early Wednesday, when police responded to the house, only the couple were there. They were arrested around 4 a.m.
The couple have spoken with police and Callender said some of their information has informed the investigation. After securing a warrant and bringing in forensic experts, the baby’s remains were uncovered around 5 p.m. Thursday.
Less than an hour later, Callender confirmed the grim, but expected, discovery at a news conference outside the scene.
It is a case that has attracted significant public interest and outcry. It’s upsetting for everyone, including the police who never want to respond to a case such as this, he said.
Callender said he’s being cautious about how much detail he releases in part because of the trauma of those involved.
O’Brien and Ensor lived transient, difficult lives. Much about her pregnancy, and the baby girl’s birth, is not clear, including whether the baby was fullterm.
The house is owned by an Ontario registered company tied to a Mississauga address. Callender said they have been cooperative with police.
Both O’Brien and Ensor remain in custody. They are scheduled to return to court March 3.
Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Michael Ebert at 905-546-4167. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestoppershamilton.com.