Toronto toddler who died after breakfast at sleepover ate poisoned cereal: police
The mother of a three-year-old girl, who died after police reported she ate poisoned cereal at a sleepover, says she's praying for her daughter's justice after charges were laid in connection to her death.
An investigation into the death of Bernice Nantanda Wamala was launched on March 7 after she became violently ill and died while at a sleepover.
According to police, a 45-year-old man placed a controlled substance, which he obtained from his place of employment, into breakfast cereal.
During a sleepover, Bernice and another child consumed the cereal. They were both rushed to the hospital as a result.
Bernice died in hospital hours after eating the cereal, while the other child recovered after a lengthy hospital stay.
"All I am praying for is my daughter’s justice," Maurine Mirembe told CTV News Toronto on Monday.
In early March, Mirembe said her daughter was with a friend at a Scarborough apartment unit in the same building where they lived.
She received a call from the friend's mother saying that Bernice was vomiting and having some type of reaction following breakfast.
"When I went upstairs, I found Bernice laying in a chair," Mirembe said at the time, adding that her daughter was barely breathing. "She was so weak and when I checked her mouth it was grey."
"I even squeezed her middle finger to see if the blood was moving, but nothing.”
Mirembe said that the friend's mother called 911, but the operator put them in contact with a Telehealth Ontario nurse who told them to take Bernice to the closest hospital.
The child was brought to Michael Garron Hospital and placed on oxygen. After numerous tests and resuscitation attempts by the doctors, Mirembe said her daughter was taken off life support.
Bernice was pronounced dead exactly one week after her third birthday.
In a news release issued Monday, police said that a suspect identified as Toronto resident Francis Ngugi had been taken into custody in connection with the investigation.
He has been charged with two counts of administering a noxious substance to endanger life, two counts of unlawfully causing bodily harm and criminal negligence causing death.
Police did not say if the suspect knew or had any relation with the children or the families involved.
The charges have not been proven in court.
With files from CTV News Toronto's Sean Davidson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
BREAKING Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Cherry blossoms blooming in Canada: Here's what to know
There is a swaying sea of colour in some cities across Canada, and it's a sure sign of spring: cherry blossoms are in bloom.
Murder charges filed against U.S. woman who crashed into building hosting birthday party, killing 2 kids
A Michigan woman was charged Tuesday with second-degree murder and other crimes after prosecutors say she drunkenly smashed her SUV into a boat club that was hosting a birthday party, killing two young siblings and injuring several other people.
Toronto's police chief clarifies initial statement on Umar Zameer acquittal, says he 'accepts' jury's finding
Toronto's Chief of Police has clarified a statement that he'd hoped for "a different outcome" made just after Umar's Zameer acquittal, telling reporters Tuesday he supports and accepts the jury's finding in the five-week trial.