NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE
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On Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, the Niagara Regional Police Service responded to a call for service in which a 2-year-old child was found without vital signs in a family home in the City of Niagara Falls. As a result, a sudden death investigation in conjunction with the Coroner’s office was commenced.
A postmortem examination of the child took place where it was determined the child’s death was the result of Fentanyl and Bromazolam* toxicity. The Niagara Regional Police Homicide Unit and Opioid Enforcement and Education Unit (OEEU) took carriage of the investigation.
On Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, a 40-year-old female resident of Niagara Falls was arrested and charged with the criminal offences of:
- Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance to wit Fentanyl, contrary to section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
- Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance to wit Cocaine, contrary to section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
- Failing to Provide the Necessaries of Life contrary to section 215(2)(a)(ii) of the Criminal Code
- Criminal Negligence Causing Death contrary to section 220(b) of the Criminal Code
The female accused was held in custody for a video bail hearing at the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines on Nov. 19, 2024.
The Niagara Regional Police Service will not be releasing the name of the accused to protect the identity of the deceased victim and the next of kin.
The OEEU is funded by the Ontario Government’s Community and Safety Policing Grant. The OEEU is a Niagara Regional Police Service initiative focused on education regarding the risk associated with illicit opioid use, while incorporating enforcement to address opioid-related issues within our community.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact detectives by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009476.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
*Bromazolam is a benzodiazepine that is not prescribed to persons in Canada. Benzodiazepines have been found mixed in the region’s illicit fentanyl supply, its toxic effects have been known to act synergistically with opioids in terms of the effects on respiratory suppression.
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