Police have charged a Calgary mother in connection with the death of her three-year-old son.
Isaiah Zoue’s lifeless body was found by police in a home in the community of Ranchlands on Saturday, Jan. 30.
READ MORE: Calgary police investigate suspicious death of young boy in Ranchlands
Officers had been called to the house, located in the 400 block of Ranchlands Grove N.W., by family who said they hadn’t heard from Zoue’s mother, Fatim Bamba, for several days.
Police found Bamba in medical distress inside the home. She was transported to hospital in stable, non-life-threatening condition.
According to police, Zoue died from asphyxiation.
On Thursday, police announced 28-year-old Bamba had been charged with second-degree murder.
“We’ve gained enough of a picture to lay charges, based on the investigation to date and forensics and interviews,” Insp. Don Coleman said in a news conference.
Police believe the young boy’s death potentially occurred sometime in the 24 hours before his body was found.
A motive for the death remains unknown.
“We haven’t gained much co-operation from Fatim at this point,” Coleman said. “We have an idea – what we believe may have occurred – through the investigation.”
Coleman said the rest of Zoue’s family has been co-operating with police, and they have spoken with the child’s father.
RAW: Insp. Don Coleman with the Calgary Police Service speaks about murder charges laid against mother Fatim Bamba in connection with the death of her three-year-old son Isaiah Zoue.
Bamba was considered a suspect from the beginning of the investigation, according to Coleman.
She was arrested on Wednesday and remains in police custody; Bamba is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.
Zoue‘s death is Calgary’s 17th homicide of the year.
Coleman said Thursday child deaths are especially tragic, not just for investigators, but for the community as a whole.
“Especially when we see a victim allegedly murdered by the person that’s solely entrusted with their safety and security,” Coleman added.
Anyone who might have information about Zoue’s death is asked to call the Calgary police non-emergency line at 403-266-1234 or the Homicide Unit tip line at 403-428-8877. Tips can also be left anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers.
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