A man and a woman have been charged with failing to provide the necessities of life in connection with a disturbing child welfare case involving the death of a 4-year-old boy. One of those charged is the boy's father.
Police say the child was found dead inside a North York townhouse located on Finch Avenue East, just east of Leslie Street, early Thanksgiving Monday.
Investigators have not said how the boy died. But sources told CTV Toronto one of the allegations suggests that a young child inside the townhouse was forced to stand against a wall in a hallway for hours on end as punishment. Sources also said the child was only given breaks to go to the bathroom or eat a small meal, and that he may have collapsed from possible fatigue.
Malnourishment and trauma may have also been a factor, according to unconfirmed reports.
A neighbour said an ambulance arrived at the townhouse around 2:30 a.m. on Monday, and two people were led out of the home in handcuffs.
"There was a man who was led out, and he was handcuffed. And then at around 3 a.m. (a female) was led out. She was in cuffs, too," Cecilia Frank told reporters.
On Tuesday, homicide investigators were called to the townhouse. Police have not said what they found in the home.
Neighbours say the family moved into the townhouse a few months ago, but they never saw the child playing outside.
Joel Roberto, 27, and Ravyn Colley, 24 appeared in a downtown Toronto court Tuesday morning. They have been remanded into custody and will make another court appearance on Thursday.
