On the same day the mother of a missing Woodbridge, Ont. baby was charged in connection with his death, York Regional Police appealed to the public for information on the whereabouts of the child.
Nadia Ayyad, 23, was arrested and charged on Wednesday with indignity to a dead body, failing to provide the necessities of life and obstructing police in relation to the disappearance of her baby, who would have been about nine weeks-old.
The baby's father, Ricky Ray Doodhnaught, has already been arrested and told police the child had died on or about Nov. 1.
York Regional Police held a news conference Wednesday to announce the new charges and ask for help.
"On or around the first of November, that's when we believe baby George went missing and we know the father and mother have been in contact with many friends, family and acquaintances," said Det.-Sgt. John Braybrook.
"We're hoping there may have been some information shared either by the father Ricky or mother Nadia with these people."
Braybrook said police believe the child is dead based on information obtained through the course of their investigation, but wouldn't reveal any further details.
Police have been searching for missing baby George since late November.
On Nov. 24, Doodhnaught escaped when police and case workers arrived at a Comfort Inn in Rexdale with a court order to collect two children under his care.
An 11-month-old child was taken into the care of case workers at that time but police said baby George was not with Doodhnaught.
Doodhnaught was arrested on Dec. 6 and provided the statement three days later.
He faces charges of abduction in contravention of a custody order in relation to the child's disappearance and two unrelated counts of theft.
On Wednesday Ayyad was also charged with abduction in contravention of a custody order in relation to the baby's older brother, whom police safely recovered on Nov. 24.
However, police say the baby's remains have not been located. He was last seen on Oct. 31 at a doctor's appointment in Woodbridge.
