Family and friends of a slain seven-year-old Toronto girl shouted and swore at the second person charged with the child's murder during a court appearance on Thursday.
Warren Johnson, 46, appeared at the Old City Hall courts facing a charge of second-degree murder in the death of Katelynn Sampson.
Relatives and friends of Katelynn cursed at Johnson, and called him a "child murderer" during the short proceeding.
The victim's mother, Bernice Sampson, sat in the front row clutching the cross around her neck before burying her hands in her face.
Johnson was remanded into custody and is to appear next Wednesday to set a date for his bail hearing.
Officers in 14 Division arrested Johnson on Wednesday. He is the common-law husband of Katelynn's legal guardian, 29-year-old Donna Irving, who is also in custody on a charge of second-degree murder.
Homicide Det. Sgt. Steve Ryan says investigators believe Johnson was at the home with Irving and her two boys when someone called 911 early Sunday morning to say the little girl had choked on a piece of food.
"It's our belief that ... just prior to, or just shortly after the 911 call was made, he took the boys and left," Ryan told reporters on Wednesday night.
Ryan said Johnson wasn't completely truthful when he spoke to detectives as a witness after Irving's arrest.
Ryan said Katelynn had wounds to her body that suggested she suffered past abuse. Autopsy results may still be weeks away because of the extent of the injuries.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Dana Levenson
