Sudden toddler death in Victoria hotel remains mystery
Frantic 'praying' mother sparked calls to police from mosque, hours before child found
Victoria Mosque-goers say they called police, disturbed by a frantic "praying" woman, the day before her toddler was found dead in a downtown hotel.
Members of the Masjid Al-Iman mosque say they saw a woman who began a frantic, loud recitation of the Quran on Friday.
The woman appeared to be praying with a toddler in her hands. She had a second child with her.
Mosque chairperson Belkacem Chergui says the woman's demeanour changed when police arrived.
"I was shocked how she behaved .... She became a totally different person, very normal, very calm, very quiet." said Chergui.
Chergui says the woman was not a regular member of the Quadra Street mosque, where she was seen praying and chanting.
Victoria police also spoke to the same woman earlier on Friday at Clover Point, on Victoria's waterfront, according to statement released by police.
The next day Victoria police were called to the 3100-block of Douglas Street to the Hotel ZED at 4 a.m. PT after reports of screaming.
In the hotel police said they found a distraught woman, a young child and a toddler.
Police said the 19-month-old was unresponsive when they arrived, and the woman and the child also needed medical care.