Missing three-year-old Toronto boy found without vital signs has died
Posted Feb 19, 2015 10:41:09 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO – Police say a three-year-old Toronto boy who wandered outside dressed only in a shirt and diaper has died after being found without vital signs in the bitter cold.
In a tweet, they say their thoughts are with his family and all affected by this tragedy.
Elijah went missing from a low-rise apartment building on Neptune Drive, near Allen Road and Highway 401.
Before he was found, police said the last time Elijah was seen was when he was in bed at 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday night.
Const. Victor Kwong said police were notified by family members at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, saying that they woke up to find him gone and the front door was open.
Kwong said when the boy went to bed, he was wearing the t-shirt, pull-ups and this morning, his boots were not there. He said the boots are army-type with fur trim at the top.
Police said he may have left the apartment on his own. It is believed he left around 4:20 a.m.
“At about 4:20 a.m. this morning, it appears he was seen on camera, surveillance from the building, and it appears as though he has just wandered,” Kwong said.
The incident came as Toronto and the GTA remain under an extreme cold warning by Environment Canada, with the wind chill near -30 C on Thursday morning.
Kwong said Elijah was staying at a family’s place.
He was found in the backyard of a nearby home about six hours later and rushed to hospital.
Elijah’s grandmother sobbed and hugged friends as she left her apartment this afternoon, en route to the hospital before the boy’s death was announced.
She would not comment to reporters but a long-time friend and neighbour called Elijah a very sweet and energetic boy and said the family was distraught.
