A Calgary mother has been charged with aggravated assault nearly two years after her 11-month-old daughter was taken to hospital with a broken arm.
The girl was taken to the Alberta Children’s Hospital on Tuesday, March 13, 2018.
In a media release Tuesday morning, Calgary police said the child’s injury was not consistent with the story her mother told doctors, so police began to investigate.
Calgary police worked with members of the Calgary Child Advocacy Centre and learned the girl had a twin brother, who was living in the home with his sister and mother.
“A medical examination of him found that he had a fractured right ankle and multiple skull fractures,” Calgary police said Tuesday.
Police said they believe the mother was the only caregiver for the children and that “no plausible explanation for the children’s injuries has been provided by her.”
Det. Amy Spence said the investigation began shortly after hospital authorities informed police. The children were moved out of the home, Spence said.
It’s not unusual for cases involving small children to take some time before charges are laid, said Spence.
“They become a little bit more complex when we’re dealing with children that are under the age of two, typically, and they can’t tell us a story or speak for themselves.”
Last Thursday, the mother — whose name was not released by police — was charged with one count of aggravated assault in relation to her daughter’s injuries. Spence said the woman was not known to police.
Spence would like to hear from friends or neighbours who might be able to shed more light on the case.
“I am hoping for additional information to come forward and the injuries relating to the boy are still a very active investigation.”
There has been an increase in reports of child abuse and the unit already has 150 cases since the beginning of the year, Spence said. It could be that the public is more comfortable coming forward to report alleged child abuse, she added.
“Although it can take us some time to figure out, we want to make sure that we do our best to support the safety of these kids.”
There are resources available to those who are struggling to properly care for their children. They can be reached by contacting 211 or Health Link at 811.
The woman is to appear in court Monday.
With files from The Canadian Press.