Justice officials in Saskatchewan say a teenage girl accused of killing a baby boy in Saskatoon had escaped custody the day before the death.
Ministry spokesman Drew Wilby says the 16-year-old left an open- custody youth facility at about 1:45 a.m. on Saturday, and Saskatoon police were notified just over an hour later.
READ MORE: Teen charged with 2nd degree murder in death of infant in Saskatoon
Wilby says open custody means doors cannot be locked and staff can’t physically stop young offenders from leaving – but if they do, they are breaking the law.
The teen was arrested Sunday morning after officers found the injured child at a home.
She is charged with second-degree murder and escaping lawful custody.
The teen, who cannot be named under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, had pleaded guilty to a number of charges in December 2015.
READ MORE: Teenager accused of murdering six-week-old baby in Saskatoon has criminal history
According to court documents obtained by Global News, the teen had been charged with setting fire to a home and theft with a weapon in North Battleford, Sask.
She had also been charged in Meadow Lake, Sask. with assault causing bodily harm and assault with a weapon in August 2015.
Police have not said why the teen, who was not related to the baby boy, was in the home.
With files from Global News
WATCH BELOW: Teenager accused of murdering six-week-old baby in Saskatoon has criminal history