A 32-year-old mother from New Westminster has been charged with manslaughter in the death of her six-month-old son last June.
Joyce Dobranski made her first appearance at B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster Monday after being arrested Friday following an investigation by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.
“On June 22, New Westminster police received a 911 call at about 4 a.m.,” IHIT spokeswoman Sgt. Jennifer Pound said. “They received a call from the mom saying that her baby was in medical distress.”
The baby, Dobranski’s only child, was taken to Royal Columbian Hospital and later transferred to B.C. Children’s Hospital where he died three days later.
“It appeared to be a suspicious death and suspicious circumstances surrounded the baby’s injuries,” said Pound, who wouldn’t disclose the cause of death as the case is before the courts.
Police have been working with a pathologist as well as other medical experts from B.C. Children’s Hospital and investigators say they are able to support the manslaughter charge based on their findings.
The baby’s father, who is no longer with Dobranski, is co-operating with police, Pound said.
“This is extremely difficult,” she said. “It’s been hard on everybody, including the investigators, as well as the extended family of the baby and the mom.”
Local news from metronews.ca/vancouver
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