Michelle Rice, 31, was arrested yesterday and charged with second-degree murder in the death of her daughter. On Mar. 29, police were called to an Edmonton home regarding a baby not breathing. The 11-day-old was taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead.
On Apr. 6, the medical examiner contacted the Edmonton Police Service. After an autopsy and toxicology tests were completed, the medical examiner found the days-old baby died from an overdose of methamphetamine.
Pattison said the lethal amount of methamphetamine had to have been administered either orally or anally. The medical examiner found the amount of of the drug found in the baby’s system could not have been passed to her from her mother’s breast milk.
Rice was a single mother of two and also has a young son who is now living with his biological father. The boy was found to be unharmed.
Pattison said Rice was not known to police and police were not aware if the mother ever had contact with Children’s Services. Children’s Services would not confirm or deny if they ever had contact with the 31-year-old.
Josh Gork, who rented a basement apartment in his home to Rice, told the
Edmonton Sun he was shocked. He described Rice as “a sweet lady” and her son as an normal two-year-old boy. He said Rice was quiet and he never had an issue with her.
Gork also told the Sun he initially thought the baby died of sudden infant death syndrome but then police returned to the homea few days after the baby’s death and removed a couple of boxes of items. When police returned to his home yesterday, he knew why they had come.
The investigation is continuing. Police believe friends and family members must have visited Rice’s apartment during the 11 days her daughter was alive and they want to speak to those people.
Rice is expected to appear in court next week.
