A Winnipeg couple is accused of child abuse after their unresponsive infant daughter was found to be suffering from multiple injuries.
Police were alerted late last month by hospital officials about a girl in the emergency department with suspicious injuries.
A 33-year-old man and 29-year-old woman were seeking medical attention for their unresponsive infant, police said in a news release on Thursday.
Doctors determined the injuries to be a result of malnutrition and abuse, police said.
On Oct. 22, investigators with the police service’s child abuse unit arrested both parents. Both parents face charges of failing to provide the necessaries of life. The man also faces a charge of aggravated assault.
Both remain in police custody.
Police did not provide the infant’s age, but confirmed she is under one year old.
She is still in hospital, listed in stable condition.
‘Should never happen:’ children’s advocate
Sherry Gott, Manitoba’s advocate for children and youth, said it’s “devastating when a child is injured at [the] hands of a caregiver.”
All serious injuries involving children in Manitoba are reported to her office. Gott said she couldn’t share any details about the current case, but confirmed her office is reviewing it.
“Stuff like this should never happen,” she said.
Gott also said more resources are needed for caregivers.
“We need to have mental health supports for parents to ensure that they’re looking after their children,” she said.
More news from CBC Manitoba: