2 children dead, Winnipeg mom sought

Two children found badly injured and alone in a Winnipeg home on Wednesday have died.

Officers were called to a home on Coleridge Park Drive in the city's Westwood area at about 8 a.m. CT and located the children — an infant and a toddler — inside.

They were rushed to hospital in critical condition and later died from their injuries. Police have not elaborated on the type of injuries they had.

No one else was in the home, which is now surrounded by police tape.

Police are now searching the city for the mother, Lisa Gibson, 32.

Many of the first responders are going to need counselling after what they discovered this morning, Const. Eric Hofley told reporters.

"It's a tragic, tragic incident. Our thoughts are with the family and friends — emergency personnel who have to deal with this," said Hofley. "All will be deeply affected by this."

Police also said they have spoken to the father but are urging the public to alert them if they see Gibson.

A fire official told CBC News that she is believed to be wearing pyjama pants and is distraught. Police said they believed she was the last person with the children.

"We are certainly concerned for Ms. Gibson and that is why we have taken the step of getting her picture out to the public as soon as possible," said Hofley. "Again, I can't reiterate enough, we are asking anyone with information: If you believe you've seen Ms. Gibson, contact us."

Police have been seen looking through parks in the area and along the riverbank, where there have been three reported sightings of Gibson.

A police boat has also been seen patrolling the river, and according to police, two fishermen may have seen her near the water.

"We’ve had another sighting down by Moray. A couple fishermen in that area said they saw her — somebody who fit the description. [We] exhausted that too, and we have nothing up to this point," said Myles Fitzhenry, a chief with Winnipeg’s fire department.

Lorna Law lives two doors down from the home and saw police searching her area.

"Oh my heart is broken," she said. "I’m just shocked. We lived in this neighbourhood for so long, and it’s been quiet and peaceful." 

She added, "I guess that’s what happens. As neighbours we don’t know our neighbours the way we used to anymore."

Neighbours said they believed the children were two months old and 18 months old.

Small, makeshift memorials began to appear on the block later Wednesday afternoon. People left flowers and small teddy bears.

Shortly after, the forensic identification unit arrived at the scene.

The homicide unit is currently investigating and police are urging anyone with information to contact them at 204-986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477.