Police in Halifax have laid charges against two people after the body of a missing newborn was located on Sunday.
Halifax Regional Police were alerted at 9:40 p.m. Friday about a woman at a local hospital who was in life-threatening condition after appearing to have just given birth.
An urgent search began for the infant in the city’s west end before expanding on Sunday.
Investigators said on Sunday that new information led them to Prospect Road and the surrounding area, and the baby’s body was located just before 3:30 p.m. in a wooded area of Old Coach Road, just outside of Halifax.
Police say the woman remains in critical condition in the hospital. They believe her injuries were due to a “medical emergency” and not a result of violence.
Four people who were known to the woman were initially taken into custody on Friday. Two of those individuals have been charged while two others have been released.
Sukhpreet Singh, a 23-year-old man described as a relative of the woman, and his wife, 26-year-old Ramandeep Kaur, have been charged with concealing the body of a child, obstruction and indignity to a dead body. They are scheduled to appear in Halifax provincial court on Monday.
The Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.
Halifax Regional Police Chief Don MacLean said the case had deeply affected first responders.
“Moments like this are among the most difficult for first responders,” MacLean said. “We felt the weight of this loss and grieved with the community while working to find answers.”
Police said the investigation remained ongoing and extended condolences to the infant’s loved ones.