Suspicious death of child treated as homicide - (3 photos)

CITY POLICE NEWS RELEASE

************************* Update - suspicious child death investigation

Investigation upgraded to homicide

SAUL STE. MARIE, ON - The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service (SSMPS) is continuing its investigation into the November 16, 2009, death of 3-year-old Aiden Floyd-Lapinskas and has now classified the investigation as a homicide.

On November 12, 2009, at approximately 1:40 p.m., Aiden Floyd-Lapinskas was rushed to hospital after Ambulance Services responded to a report of a child in distress in an apartment on Garden River Road.

At the time the victim was found unresponsive and was immediately transported to Sault Area Hospital where he was listed in critical condition and subsequently airlifted to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa for medical treatment.

On November 16, 2009, the child died as a result of his injuries.

Police are awaiting the final results of a post-mortem examination carried out on November 18, 2009.

However, the information gathered and circumstances in relation to this case have led investigators to upgrade the case as a homicide investigation. As part of the ongoing investigation, police will be conducting a search on Wednesday, December 23, 2009, in the Garden River Road area.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is assisting the SSMPS with this investigation and will be providing a helicopter for this purpose. The SSMPS is asking for the public’s assistance with locating the following clothing (photos attached):

- A red and white ball hat, likely Detroit Red Wings

- Dark coloured possibly dark blue or black fall/winter jacket with extensive writing on the back and left sleeve.

These clothes were last seen in the area of 59 Old Garden River Road on the date of this incident November 12, 2009.

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service believe this to be an isolated incident and do not have any cause to believe there is any further public safety issues in relation to this case.

Police are also asking that anyone with information regards these articles of clothing or any other information relating to this case to contact the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service Tip Line at (705)949-6300, ext. 144 or at (705) 256-4114.

If someone wishes to remain anonymous they can call Crime Stoppers at (705)942-7867.

The investigation is continuing.

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