La Presse, February 16, 1920, p. 8

PARENTS ACCUSED OF HOMICIDE

Télesphore Gagnon and his wife alleged to have killed their own child.

THE ACCUSED ARE LOCKED UP IN QUEBEC CITY JAIL

(From the correspondent of La PRESSE)
Quebec City, 16. — A charge of homicide has been laid against Télesphore Gagnon, a farmer from Ste. Philomène de Fortierville, County of Lotbinière, and his wife, Marie-Anne Houde, who were arrested yesterday and brought to Quebec City. They appeared at noon before Justice Choquette, of the Sessions of the Peace Court, who denied them bail and sent them to prison pending the preliminary investigation, to be held on February 24.

On February 12, Aurore Gagnon, the daughter of the two accused, died after a lengthy illness and under such circumstances that the attention of the Attorney General was brought to the case. Dr. A. Marois of Quebec City was instructed to perform an autopsy on the body of the deceased, resulting in the authorities’ ordering the Provincial Police to arrest the Gagnon couple. They are accused of failing to provide the necessary care for their child.

Coroner Jolicoeur had ordered the autopsy on the body of the child. Her internal organs will be sent to the provincial laboratory in Montreal for medical analysis. Traces of poison were allegedly present.