Montreal police (SPVM) transferred a one‑year‑old infant to the province’s youth protection agency on Friday evening after responding to a situation near the Notre‑Dame homeless encampment. The referral was made following an assessment that the child’s welfare was at risk during an encounter involving the infant and a woman at the site.
The incident occurred at approximately 7 p.m. on September 13, 2026, close to the encampment that has been the focus of municipal welfare concerns. Police officers arrived after being alerted to a potentially dangerous circumstance involving the woman and the baby. After evaluating the scene, the officers concluded that the child required the intervention of the Direction de la protection de la jeunesse (DPJ), Quebec’s child protection authority.
The DPJ now assumes responsibility for the infant’s care and protection, following standard procedures for cases where a minor’s safety is deemed compromised. The police hand‑over reflects the routine collaboration between the SPVM and the DPJ in situations where child welfare issues intersect with the city’s homeless populations.
Authorities have noted that interventions at homeless encampments are not uncommon, as police frequently address welfare concerns that arise in these settings. The DPJ’s involvement underscores its role in safeguarding children who may be exposed to risk in environments linked to homelessness. No further details about the woman’s identity or the specific circumstances that prompted the referral have been released.
The case highlights the ongoing coordination between law‑enforcement and child‑protection services in Montreal, aiming to ensure that vulnerable children receive appropriate protection when their safety is in question.