Warning: This story contains graphic details and images.
A woman who allegedly threw boiling water on a 10-year-old boy on Montreal’s south shore was formerly charged Friday afternoon.
Quebec’s Crown prosecutor office, known as the DPCP, confirmed Stéphanie Borel, 46, is facing a charge of aggravated assault in connection with the reported attack from last week. She appeared in court via video and will remain detained until a bail hearing next week.
The boy was injured after scalding hot water was thrown on him from a neighbour’s balcony in Longueuil, Que., on Oct. 2. He was taken to hospital where he was treated for second-degree burns to his face and upper body.
Borel was questioned and arrested the same day, but Longueuil police said she was released on a promise to appear in court and with some conditions to abide by. Her court date was initially set for late January 2025.
Longueuil Mayor Catherine Fournier said Thursday that members of the public were urging her to reverse the decision to release the woman, but she said it would be illegal for her to intervene in the case.
On Friday, police said an arrest warrant was issued by DPCP following new evidence in the case.
“Furthermore, everything indicates that this was an isolated act, with no involvement of other suspects,” police said.
‘Really traumatized’
Global News is not revealing the child’s identity to respect his privacy and a publication ban was issued Friday. He said in an interview earlier this week that he was “trembling” when the water was poured on him.
The boy said he had walked through the lawn on his way home from school with friends. They were unharmed, and the child alleged he was the only one who was targeted with scalding liquid.
The boy’s father told Global News that what happened was “inexcusable” and said the woman needs to answer for her actions. His son has knocked on the neighbour’s door and run away, but his father said he was shocked anyone would throw boiling water on a child.
“He was really traumatized,” the father said in an interview Wednesday.
On Friday, police said they had been in contact with the boy’s family and school to offer services and support. They also boosted the presence of police officers in the area where the alleged attack occurred to reassure concerned residents.
— with files from Global’s Tim Sargeant and The Canadian Press