RCMP in New Brunswick have laid a murder charge against a 36-year-old Eel River Bar man in relation to the 2004 death of a toddler.
Two-year-old Kennedy Corrigan of Central Blissville, N.B. died on April 9, 2004 at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax as the result of a massive head and brain injury.
At the time the injury was said to be the result of a fall in the tub a week earlier, and though police had evidence the death may have been non-accidental, it was not definitive, police say.
New evidence emerged prompting the arrest on Tuesday of 36-year-old James Paul Turpin, police say.
On Wednesday, Turpin appeared in Burton Provincial Court, standing quietly in the prisoner’s box as the charge of second-degree murder was read.
The new evidence was not revealed during Wednesday’s hearing, but police allege the toddler was in Turpin’s care at the time she was injured.
RCMP say Turpin was living in the house at the time but is not related to Kennedy.
Police say they do not believe anyone else was involved in her death.
Ali Corrigan, Kennedy’s aunt, attended Wednesday’s court hearing.
She told CTV News the family had always suspected Turpin had played a role in the death, despite claims it resulted from an accident.
Turpin was remanded into custody and is scheduled to be back in court on June 22.
He has not yet entered a plea to the charge.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Andy Campbell
