Don’t abandon your baby, pleads Quebec Health Ministry. Here are resources to help

After a woman was arrested following the death of a baby, calls are rising for more to be done to assist homeless women.

Two babies have been abandoned in Longueuil, on Montreal’s South Shore, this month.

One, a premature baby boy with his umbilical cord still attached, was left on the doorstep of a home on Bourgeoys Street on the night of Oct. 5.

A second was abandoned, and later died, at a bus stop on Chambly Road near Briggs Street in the early morning of Oct. 27.

• READ MORE: Woman arrested after baby found at Longueuil bus stop dies

The two cases have sent shockwaves through the region, with Longueuil police (SPAL) saying it is “worried.”

“We were all actually pretty shocked,” said Jacqueline Pierre, a spokesperson with Longueuil police. “We still don’t understand what is going on.”

In these moments of difficulty for new parents, Quebec’s Health Ministry emphasizes that help is always available.

• READ MORE: Baby abandoned in Longueuil, police search for clues

“Abandoning a child is a deeply troubling act that can be a sign of great distress,” the ministry tells CTV News. “In these critical moments, it is essential to remember that asking for help is not only possible, but crucial.”

Quebec’s Health Ministry notes there are several safe alternatives to abandoning a newborn.

These include:

• Reporting your situation to Quebec’s youth protection department (DPJ) and asking them to take the child;
• Taking the newborn to a hospital;
• Calling 911;
• Contacting your local CLSC for immediate support;
• Asking someone in your extended family to help you;
• Visiting a community organization.

The ministry adds that numerous services are available throughout Quebec to support parents in difficulty, whether it be psychosocial support or guidance in thinking about a child’s future.

“For example, adoption can be a path to a stable, loving and secure family for some children,” it notes. “It is a life plan that allows the child to develop in a supportive environment. It is a responsible and loving act to entrust your child to another person or authority that can provide the care and stability necessary for them to grow and be safe.”

• READ MORE: Longueuil police release video after child left on porch

There is no shame, the ministry states, for struggling parents to “take a step back, get a break, and receive support and advice.”

“Never hesitate to ask for help, even in situations where you feel isolated and discouraged,” the ministry adds. “It is important to remember that protecting children is a collective responsibility that concerns us all.”

Santé Québec notes that, according to Quebec’s Youth Protection Department, the Protection de la jeunesse (DPJ), abandonment accounted for 0.8 per cent of cases in 2024 to 2025.

“It is important to clarify that this figure includes abandonment in the broad sense, meaning all age groups, including adoption plans and cases of young adolescents experiencing a breakdown in relationships,” the organization tells CTV News. “The number of newborns abandoned in nature represents a tiny fraction of this number. These are exceptional circumstances.”

In 2022, Santé Québec created the Ma grossesse (My pregnancy) support service to accompany pregnant people “from the earliest stages.”

"Every pregnant person deserves to be supported during this pivotal moment in their life," the organization stresses. "There are always safe solutions for both the mother and the child. No one should have to go through such distress alone."

Regardless of whether or not a pregnancy is wanted, Santé Québec encourages everyone to go to a hospital for pregnancy follow-up or delivery “without hesitation.”

"Psychosocial teams are available in CLSCs and hospitals to offer confidential and non-judgmental support," it added.