WHO IS SHE? Body found in Toronto dumpster was a young girl

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An autopsy has determined a young girl, whose remains were discovered wrapped in two blankets in a Rosedale construction dumpster this week, died last year.

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But Toronto Police investigators are still trying to identify the child.

“The remains are sadly those of a little girl possible between the ages of four and seven years,” Det. Renee Foley, of 53 Division, said Thursday. “The child is described as Black of African or mixed-African descent.”

The girl – believed to have been dead since sometime last summer – was just 3-foot-6, had black curly hair sectioned into four short pony tails secured with black and blue elastic bands, and she has all her teeth.

“We believe she was left in the area sometime between Thursday, April 28, at 12 noon and Monday, May 2, at 4:45 pm,” Foley said.

Her remains were discovered Monday in a dumpster outside an unoccupied home on Dale Ave., near Castle Frank Rd., that neighbors say has been under construction or renovation for about two to three years.

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Police received the preliminary results of a post-mortem examination of the body on Wednesday.

“The forensic pathologist believes she may have been deceased as early as last summer or fall 2021, or perhaps earlier,” Foley revealed.

The cause of death has yet to be determined.

More information is expected from pathologists in the coming weeks.

Investigators released images of two blankets the little girl was wrapped in hoping someone will recognize them and come forward.

“She was wrapped in a crocheted blanket inside of a plastic bag, Foley said. “The bag was wrapped in a colorful blanket.”

Residents of the Rosedale area, already horrified by Monday’s discovery, were aghast to learn the latest details revealed by cops.

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“Oh my goodness that’s dreadful,” Dawn Sullivan said upon hearing it was a young girl’s body. “And where was she until now? I’m really sorry to hear that. It’s horrible.”

Flowers were left at the end of the driveway where the girl’s remains were found.

The dumpster has since been removed.

“We will identify this little girl,” vowed Homicide Insp. Hank Idsinga, who explained his detectives are investigating together with officers from the 53 Division, Missing Persons, and the Child and Youth Advocacy Center.

“The investigative mindset is that kids don’t just die,” he said. “Sadly, this is what we’re dealing with right now.”

“Our first priority is to establish the identity of this little girl. The investigators will leave no stone unturned,” Idsinga added.

Anyone with information is urged to call police at 416-808-5300 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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