Mother charged with 2nd-degree murder in death of her 8-year-old daughter

WATCH ABOVE: An outpouring of shock and grief in Surrey, with the news that a mother is charged with killing her 8-year-old daughter. Rumina Daya has reaction and explains why there may have been warning signs.

VANCOUVER – A 41-year-old mother has been charged in the death of her eight-year-old daughter, whose body was found in the trunk of a car in Surrey on Wednesday.

Lisa Batstone has been charged with the 2nd-degree murder of her eight-year-old daughter, Teagan Batstone. Lisa does not have any other children and appeared in court on Thursday. She was crying in the prisoner’s box before being taken away by the sheriff. Her case has been put over until Dec. 18.

Lisa has also asked to be seen by a psychiatrist and a doctor because she is on “heavy medication.”

Teagan’s body was found in the trunk of a car Wednesday afternoon in the 13900-block 35A Avenue of Surrey, according to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT).

At about 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Surrey RCMP responded to a report of a grey Mazda hatchback that had become stuck in a ditch. When they arrived, they found Teagan’s body in the car.

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Neighbours say Lisa ran to a nearby house, pounded on the door, and asked the resident to call 9-1-1, saying her child had died.

S/Sgt. Jennifer Pound with IHIT say they believe Teagan was already deceased and transported to the area in Surrey.

Teagan’s father, Gabe, lives in Ottawa and tweeted about the loss of his daughter:

Rosemary Heights Elementary School, where Teagan was a student, cancelled their Christmas concert, which was set to take place on Thursday afternoon.

A memorial is being held for Teagan at the White Rock Baptist Church at 7 p.m. on Dec. 17.

IHIT is leading the investigation along with the Surrey RCMP and an autopsy will be performed to confirm the cause of death.

Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact the IHIT tipline at 1-877-551-4448, or, if you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.