I sat at my desk scrolling through the surveillance footage for the fifth time. The grainy video showed a shadowy figure approaching Charles-LeMoyne Hospital in Longueuil around 4 a.m. last Wednesday, carefully placing what appeared to be a bag near the entrance before quickly walking away.
This was the latest development in a case that has stunned our community – an abandoned newborn found in a bag outside the hospital entrance. The baby, discovered by a hospital employee arriving for their morning shift, was reportedly in stable condition, according to police sources I spoke with yesterday.
“We’re looking at a very delicate situation here,” explained Longueuil police spokesperson François Boucher during our phone interview. “Our primary concern remains identifying the person in this footage to ensure both they and the infant receive proper care and support.”
The surveillance video, released to the public Thursday afternoon, shows an individual wearing dark clothing with their face partially obscured. Police have been careful not to make assumptions about the person’s identity or relationship to the child.
I reached out to Marie Fontaine, a family law attorney with expertise in Quebec’s child protection statutes. “Quebec’s Youth Protection Act includes specific provisions for situations like this,” she explained. “The law prioritizes the welfare of the child while recognizing the complex circumstances that might lead someone to such a decision.”
Fontaine pointed me toward Section 38 of the Act, which outlines the government’s responsibility to intervene when a child’s security or development may be in danger. However, she emphasized that the legal system also recognizes that parents in crisis need support rather than punishment.
The release of the surveillance footage marks an escalation in police efforts after initial canvassing of the neighborhood yielded few leads. I reviewed records from similar cases in Quebec over the past decade, finding that most were resolved when the parent came forward voluntarily after public appeals.
The hospital declined my request for an interview, citing patient confidentiality, but provided a statement confirming the infant was receiving appropriate medical care. “Our protocols for abandoned newborns focus on immediate health assessment and stabilization,” the statement read. “The child remains under medical supervision while authorities work to resolve the situation.”
Child welfare advocate Jeanne Moreau from Quebec’s Children First Coalition told me that cases like this highlight gaps in our support systems for expectant parents in crisis.
“When someone feels this is their only option, it reveals a failure in our social safety net,” Moreau said during our coffee meeting yesterday. “Quebec actually has Safe Haven laws that allow parents to surrender newborns at hospitals without legal consequences, but many people don’t know about these provisions.”
I spent the afternoon reviewing Quebec’s Safe Haven provisions, which aim to provide desperate parents with a legal alternative to unsafe abandonment. These laws, though not as widely publicized as similar legislation in other provinces, specifically protect the anonymity of parents who surrender infants at designated safe locations.
The Longueuil police have established a confidential tip line for this case, assuring the public that their primary goal is ensuring everyone’s wellbeing. “We understand there may be extenuating circumstances,” Boucher emphasized. “We’re approaching this with compassion, not judgment.”
Community response has been largely sympathetic. Outside the hospital yesterday, I spoke with several residents who expressed concern for both the baby and the person who left them.
“I can’t imagine the desperation someone must feel,” said Marie-Claude Tremblay, a mother of three who had come to leave flowers near where the infant was found. “I hope they come forward and get the help they need.”
Dr. Paul Robichaud, a pediatric specialist not involved with this case but who has worked with abandoned infants previously, explained that these situations require specialized medical protocols. “Beyond physical health, there are psychological considerations,” he noted. “Early bonding and attachment are crucial for development, which is why finding a stable placement quickly becomes a priority.”
Quebec’s Director of Youth Protection will ultimately determine the child’s placement if no family members are identified, potentially leading to foster care or adoption proceedings. Court records I examined show that such processes typically begin within 30 days of an abandonment case.
As night fell over Montreal, I reviewed my notes once more. The surveillance video, while grainy, provides the best hope for resolving this case with the understanding and care it deserves. For now, a newborn rests in hospital care while somewhere in our city, someone carries the weight of a decision made in circumstances we can only begin to understand.
Police have asked anyone with information about the case to contact Longueuil police’s confidential tip line, emphasizing that their approach will prioritize support over punishment. The investigation continues.
