Family members of a Bolton woman accused of murdering her 18-month-old son are struggling to understand what happened.
They showed up at court in Brampton on Monday where 34-year-old Nadine Bernard made a brief court appearance in person. She was remanded in custody until April 23.
"She's beautiful, a beautiful mother. I've known her since she was born, and she's beautiful," said a grim-faced cousin to reporters on Monday as he left the courthouse.
The man said Bernard loved her children and the toddler she is accused of killing.
"That's why it's so shocking to the family," he said.
She had two other children -- an 11-year-old and a 14-year-old.
"Obviously there's a lot of unanswered questions at this point -- there's a lot of unanswered questions," said defence lawyer John Struthers.
"We're going to have to see where it goes from here. But at this point ... they're grieving for a young baby and they're dealing with a daughter in custody," he said of the family.
Struthers told CTV Toronto his client had been embroiled in a custody dispute over her children, but that it was very close to being resolved.
On Friday morning, police were called to the underground parking area of a Mississauga office complex.
Upon arriving, they found the victim lifeless in a car.
CTV Toronto reported Saturday that the accused had called 911 and been taken to hospital for treatment of self-inflicted injuries.
