Nova Scotia Mother Dies in Hospital After Newborn Found Dead

A mother who arrived at a Halifax hospital in critical condition after recently giving birth has died, days after her newborn was found dead in a wooded area near the city, Halifax police said.

Police were notified on May 22 when the 23-year-old woman arrived alone in hospital in critical condition after appearing to have just given birth. An urgent search ensued to track down the newborn, and its remains were located on May 24 at 3:20 p.m. in a wooded area off Old Coach Road in Goodwood, according to a police news release.

The Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service is investigating the cause of death in both cases, and police say the investigation remains ongoing.

“Due to the complexity of this incident, it may take an extended period of time to determine the results for both the infant and the mother,” the release said.

Police initially searched for the newborn at a Willett Street apartment in the Clayton Park community, but new information led them to a wooded area to the southwest of the city’s downtown, where police found the remains.

As part of the investigation, two people have been taken into custody and are facing charges.

Sukhpreet Singh, 23, and wife Ramandeep Kaur, 26, were initially taken into custody for questioning on May 23, along with two other individuals.

Following the discovery of the infant’s remains and further interviews, the other two individuals were released, and Singh and Kaur were returned to custody.

The two were charged with concealing the newborn’s body, obstructing a peace officer by lying, and causing indignity to human remains. On May 28, the two appeared at a bail hearing but did not seek bail, agreeing to remain in custody until their June 22 hearing.

Police have not identified the mother, but confirmed she is related to Singh. Police also said that the mother’s critical condition when she arrived in hospital did not appear to be due to violence.

Under the Canadian Criminal Code, the individual charges Singh and Kaur face carry maximum sentences of up to 10 years for each of the two obstruction of justice counts, five years for offering an indignity to human remains, and two years for concealing the body of a child. However, because these are hybrid offences, the Crown could pursue less severe summary convictions, which carry maximums of two years less a day per charge.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.