Longueuil police released haunting surveillance footage yesterday showing a figure abandoning a newborn infant outside an apartment building earlier this week, marking a critical turn in an investigation that has shaken the Montreal suburb.
The grainy video captures a person—whose identity remains concealed by a hooded jacket—leaving a bag containing the days-old infant near the entrance of a residential complex on Chambly Road in Longueuil’s Saint-Hubert borough shortly after 11 p.m. on July 14. The footage shows the individual deliberately placing the bag, briefly pausing, then walking away with calculated movements that suggest premeditation.
“We’re asking anyone who recognizes the walking pattern, clothing, or anything distinctive about this person to contact us immediately,” said Sergeant Jean-Luc Tremblay of the Longueuil Police Service. “At this point, we have no information about who left the child, but we believe they likely have a connection to this neighborhood.”
The newborn girl was discovered by a resident returning home around midnight who heard faint cries coming from the bag. Medical officials estimate the infant was only 2-3 days old when abandoned. She remains in stable condition at Montreal Children’s Hospital, where staff have temporarily named her “Esperanza”—Spanish for “hope.”
According to Quebec’s Director of Youth Protection, the province’s Safe Haven laws permit anonymous surrender of newborns without legal repercussions when done safely at hospitals or fire stations. However, the circumstances of this abandonment—leaving a vulnerable infant outdoors unattended—could potentially result in criminal charges including child endangerment.
The surveillance footage has sparked widespread community response, with the Longueuil Family Resource Center establishing a dedicated hotline for those who might have information about the mother’s identity or circumstances.
“We understand there may be complex factors involved in this situation,” said Marie Leclerc, the center’s director. “Our primary concern is ensuring both the baby and the mother receive appropriate care and support. Sometimes desperate situations lead to desperate decisions.”
Statistics from the Canadian Child Welfare Research Portal indicate that while infant abandonment cases have decreased by 18% nationwide over the past decade, Quebec has seen a troubling uptick of 7% in the past two years alone.
Residents of the apartment complex expressed shock at the incident. “I’ve lived here for twelve years and nothing like this has ever happened,” said Monique Belanger, 64. “I keep thinking about how cold it was that night—just six degrees. That baby could have died if not found quickly.”
Police are systematically canvassing the surrounding area, reviewing additional surveillance footage from nearby businesses, and analyzing forensic evidence from the bag and blanket in which the infant was wrapped.
As the search intensifies, authorities urge anyone with information to come forward through the anonymous tip line. Meanwhile, social services officials have begun the process of temporary placement for the infant while the investigation continues.
The case has reignited discussions about Quebec’s support systems for mothers in crisis and the effectiveness of public awareness campaigns about safe surrender options.
“Behind every abandoned child is a parent in crisis,” noted Dr. Sophie Tremblay, a child welfare specialist at McGill University. “We need to ask ourselves not just who did this, but what gaps in our support systems allowed this situation to develop.”
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