Kitchener, Ont. woman arrested for allegedly poisoning children

TORONTO – A 32-year-old Kitchener woman has been arrested by the Waterloo Regional Police Service after allegedly poisoning two young children.

Police say Christine Allen, who may also have used the name Christine Keilbar, has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault and administering a noxious substance.

The most recent incident occurred in March when a child under the care of the accused was taken to local hospital with serious physical symptoms.

The child recovered but returned to hospital at a later date with similar symptoms.

Following an investigation, it was revealed that a second child had also become ill in July 2010.

Both children recovered after receiving medical treatment.

Police allege that Allen administered an over-the-counter eye care product in both incidents, which if ingested can cause symptoms such as abnormal drowsiness, low blood pressure, respiratory difficulty and decreased heart rates, specifically in younger children.

The accused operated a home day care in Kitchener from 2009 to 2011 and police are concerned there may be more victims.

Catherine Fife, the NDP MPP for Kitchener Waterloo, called the allegations “horrifying” and petitioned the Ontario government to release safety and violation records of home daycares across Ontario.

Allen remains in custody and will appear in court on July 24.

Anyone with information is requested to call Central Division Detectives at 519-653-7700 ext. 4437 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.