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
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.