Two people charged after the remains of a newborn baby were found in Halifax last weekend will remain in custody for another three-and-a-half weeks.
Sukhpreet Singh, 23, and his wife, Ramandeep Kaur, 26, have each been charged with the following offences:
- concealing the body of a child;
- indignity to a dead body;
- obstruction of a peace officer; and
- obstruction of justice.
According to court documents, Singh and Kaur are accused of lying to police, which led to the obstruction charges.
The documents state the concealing and indignity charges are related to the fact that police found the infant’s remains in a wooded area.
The couple was due in court for a bail hearing Thursday morning, but they chose to forgo the bail hearing.
Singh appeared in court via video while Kaur did not appear. A lawyer spoke to the court on their behalf.
They both consented to being remanded until June 22, when they are due back in court for election and plea.
The couple has been in custody since their arrest Sunday.
Police have said Singh is related to the mother.
As for the infant’s autopsy, Crown attorney Paul Carver said the “very preliminary findings” are in, but he couldn’t comment on them.
Halifax Regional Police have indicated they will be sending an update on the case Thursday.
Couple could face more charges: Crown
The couple had their first court appearance Monday. At the time, Carver said Singh and Kaur could face “additional very serious charges” in the case.
Carver also noted police seized five electronic devices in connection with the investigation and they needed more time to examine them.
“The material on those devices is in a foreign language, which is slowing the process of review,” Carver said Monday.
The baby’s mother was still in hospital in critical condition and was unresponsive as of Monday. There is no word on her condition Thursday.
Infant’s remains found after two-day search
The charges come after Halifax Regional Police received a report around 9:40 p.m. Friday that a woman who appeared to have just given birth was in hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Police said they believe the woman experienced a medical emergency and they don’t believe her condition is the result of violence.
Police and search crews launched an extensive search for the woman’s newborn baby, combing the area surrounding 214 Willett St. in Halifax. Police forensics could be seen searching through dumpsters outside the apartment complex Saturday evening.
On Sunday, police said new information led them to search Prospect Road and the surrounding area. They found the infant’s remains in a wooded area off Old Coach Road around 3:20 p.m. Sunday.
Four people were taken into custody for questioning. Two were released without charges.
With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Callum Smith and Stephanie Tsicos
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