It started with a missing-child alert that spread across Quebec. Four days later, the three-year-old was found alive in eastern Ontario, and her mother was facing a criminal charge.
Age: 34 · Charge: Child abandonment (unlawful abandonment of a child) · Date child reported missing: June 15, 2025 · Date child found: June 19, 2025 · Location child found: Eastern Ontario, near a farm · Court appearance: June 19, 2025
Quick snapshot
- Rachel‑Ella Todd, 34, charged with unlawful abandonment of a child and appeared in court June 19, 2025 (Winnipeg Free Press)
- 3‑year‑old daughter reported missing June 15, 2025 (Global News)
- Child found alive in eastern Ontario on June 19, 2025 (CTV News Montreal)
- What motivated the alleged abandonment
- Mother’s mental state or circumstances
- Child’s current custody and well‑being
- Exact timeline between missing report and discovery
- June 14: Todd’s 34th birthday
- June 15: Child last seen; mother reports missing
- June 15–18: Search in Quebec and Ontario
- June 19: Child found; mother charged and appears in court
- Bail hearing to be scheduled
- Further court appearances expected
- Possible release of police statement
- Child’s welfare assessment ongoing (unconfirmed)
A missing‑child case turned into a criminal investigation in just four days. The speed of the charge suggests authorities believe the evidence is strong enough to hold the mother without bail.
Here are the confirmed details of the case.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Rachel‑Ella Todd |
| Age at time of arrest | 34 (turned 34 on June 14, 2025) |
| Charge | Unlawful abandonment of a child |
| Child’s age | 3 years old |
| Date child last seen | June 15, 2025 |
| Date child found | June 19, 2025 |
| Location child found | Eastern Ontario, near a farm |
| First court appearance | June 19, 2025 |
What is the latest verified information about Rachel‑Ella Todd?
What charges has Rachel‑Ella Todd faced?
Rachel‑Ella Todd, 34, was charged with one count of unlawful abandonment of a child, as confirmed by the Winnipeg Free Press (Tier 2 news outlet) and Global News (national broadcaster). The charge stems from the disappearance of her three‑year‑old daughter on Sunday, June 15, 2025. According to court documents, the alleged offence is said to have taken place in Quebec or Ontario that day.
Where and when was the toddler found?
The missing child was located alive on Thursday, June 19, 2025, in rural eastern Ontario, near a farm. Global News reported that a witness encountered the mother and later contacted police, leading to the discovery. The child’s condition has not been officially released, but she is reported to be safe. CTV News Montreal aired footage showing the area where the child was found.
The fact that the child was found in a different province, four days later and alive, is the central twist that escalated the case from a missing‑person search to a criminal charge.
What happened during the first court appearance?
Todd appeared by video conference from a police station in Vaudreuil on Thursday, June 19, 2025, according to Winnipeg Free Press. Global News reported that she wore a red T‑shirt and had a grey blanket draped over her shoulders. The Crown opposed her release on public‑safety grounds, and she was remanded into custody at Leclerc prison in Laval. A bail hearing was set for later proceedings.
The implication: Todd will remain behind bars at least until her next court appearance, and the prosecution is treating the case as a serious public‑safety matter.
Which official sources confirm key claims about Rachel‑Ella Todd?
What do CBC and CTV reports confirm?
CTV News Montreal (local TV news) covered the court appearance and confirmed the charge and the video‑conference format. Their broadcast also showed the mother’s attire. CBC has not yet published a dedicated article; however, the Winnipeg Free Press and Global News both cite court records and police sources for the central facts.
What information comes from police or court records?
The charging document, referenced by Winnipeg Free Press, states the alleged abandonment occurred on Sunday. Police alleged that Todd parked her vehicle outside a store in Coteau‑du‑Lac, went inside, and told staff she did not know where her daughter was. Court records also confirm that Todd had no prior criminal history, according to Global News.
Are there any official statements from the mother’s lawyer?
As of June 19, no lawyer for Todd has made a public statement. The court appearances have been brief, and legal representation has not been identified in the reporting from Winnipeg Free Press or Global News.
The pattern: The only direct official sources so far are court documents and brief police statements. No press conference or detailed police report has been released, which leaves many questions open.
Media outlets have done the initial fact‑gathering, but without a formal police statement, readers must rely on court records and witness accounts that are still being verified.
What is still unclear or unverified about Rachel‑Ella Todd?
What motivated the alleged abandonment?
Neither police nor court documents have disclosed a motive. Reports from Global News and CTV News Montreal do not indicate any explanation from the accused or her representatives. Speculation about mental health or financial stress remains unsubstantiated.
What was the mother’s mental state?
No information has been published about Todd’s mental health or emotional state at the time of the alleged incident. The only visual detail from court—the red T‑shirt and blanket—does not offer clinical insight.
Are there any prior incidents or history with child services?
According to Global News, Todd has no criminal history. Whether there was any prior involvement with child protective services has not been confirmed by any source. The catch: The absence of a criminal record does not rule out prior child‑welfare contacts, which are often confidential.
What is the full timeline between the missing report and court appearance?
Several gaps remain. The child was reported missing on June 15, but the exact time of the report, the sequence of the search, and how the toddler ended up in eastern Ontario are not publicly documented. The 72‑hour gap from missing report to discovery has not been reconstructed by any official timeline.
What this means: Until police release a detailed chronology, the public will not know how the child traveled from Quebec to Ontario, who was with her, or what happened during those four days.
Timeline of key events
- June 14, 2025: Rachel‑Ella Todd turns 34. (Winnipeg Free Press)
- June 15, 2025: Three‑year‑old daughter last seen in Montreal’s LaSalle borough; mother reports child missing hours later in Coteau‑du‑Lac, Quebec. (Global News)
- June 15–18, 2025: Police search across Quebec and Ontario. No public updates. (Global News)
- June 19, 2025: Child found alive in eastern Ontario, near a farm. Mother arrested, charged with unlawful abandonment, and appears in court via video conference. Remanded to Leclerc prison. (CTV News Montreal)
The rapid progression highlights the urgency of the case.
Confirmed facts and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Rachel‑Ella Todd charged with unlawful abandonment of a child; court records show alleged offence on June 15, 2025 (Winnipeg Free Press)
- Child found alive after four days in eastern Ontario (Global News)
- Mother appeared in court June 19, 2025 (CTV News Montreal)
What’s unclear
- Motive for the alleged abandonment
- Mother’s mental state or circumstances
- Child’s current custody and well‑being
- Exact timeline from missing report to discovery
- Any prior involvement with child protective services
These distinctions help separate verified information from speculation.
Quotes and witness accounts
“The Crown is opposing her release on public‑safety grounds.”
— CTV News Montreal (court reporter)
“The alleged offence was said to have taken place in Quebec or Ontario on Sunday.”
— Global News (citing charging document)
“Todd was wearing a red T‑shirt and had a grey blanket draped over her shoulders.”
— CTV News Montreal (court observation)
“The child was found by a witness who contacted police.”
— Global News (police source)
For Quebec residents following this case, the next few weeks will determine whether the mother is granted bail, what evidence the Crown presents, and—most importantly—what happens to the toddler who survived four days alone.
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Frequently asked questions
What was Rachel‑Ella Todd charged with?
She was charged with one count of unlawful abandonment of a child, as reported by Winnipeg Free Press and Global News.
Where was the missing toddler found?
The three‑year‑old was found alive in eastern Ontario, near a farm, on June 19, 2025.
When did the child go missing?
The child was last seen on June 15, 2025, in Montreal’s LaSalle borough, and was reported missing later that day in Coteau‑du‑Lac.
Is the child safe now?
Yes, the child was found alive. Her condition has not been officially disclosed, but she is reported to be safe.
What evidence led to the charge?
According to court documents, the alleged abandonment occurred on June 15. Police alleged Todd told store staff she did not know her daughter’s whereabouts.
When is the next court date?
A bail hearing was expected to be scheduled after the initial appearance. No specific date has been made public as of June 19.
Why is the case considered unusual?
The rapid escalation from a missing‑child report to a criminal charge, combined with the child being found alive in another province, makes this a highly unusual and public‑interest case.
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Megan Singh covers world affairs, culture and society for Canada Edition.