A woman deemed not criminally responsible for leaving her toddler in a field will remain confined at a Montreal psychiatric hospital, a Quebec judge decided on Tuesday. Judge Bertrand St-Arnaud ruled in favor of the Crown’s argument that the mother, whose identity is protected, still poses a risk to public safety despite making progress in her mental health treatment.
The judge supported the proposal put forth by Crown attorney Lili Prévost-Gravel, allowing the mother supervised outings from the Institut national de psychiatrie légale Philippe-Pinel with certain restrictions, such as avoiding contact with the toddler’s father and using the internet only under supervision.
The woman was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder during a 60-day evaluation, which can lead to depressive, manic, and psychotic states. She was in a psychotic state when she left her daughter in an Ontario field, sparking a search that ended with the child being found dehydrated and injured.
The toddler, now in her father’s care, continues to suffer from trauma following the incident. The mother’s mental health had deteriorated prior to the events due to lack of medication and monitoring. Her case will be reviewed by Quebec’s mental disorders review board, which will determine her discharge plan based on her progress.
The review board will reassess her case in 90 days, possibly leading to her release depending on her mental state. Individuals found not criminally responsible undergo annual hearings until they receive an absolute discharge. Judge St-Arnaud expressed hope for the woman’s recovery, while Crown attorney Prévost-Gravel emphasized the importance of continued treatment for the well-being of all involved.
