Bail hearing in infant second-degree murder case set for July 15

The bail hearing date for two parents charged with the second-degree murder of their infant is set for July 15. 

The father and mother — who are both in their 20s — are currently in custody at South West Detention Centre in Maidstone, Ont..

They made an appearance in Ontario provincial court in Windsor Friday through a video call.

The father appeared disoriented, relying on a Punjabi translator to speak with his lawyer John Sitter. In contrast, the mother — represented by Jennifer Comand — appeared quiet and timid. 

The parents were arrested and charged in June with aggravated assault, after a police investigation determined they caused the injuries of both of their two infants in hospital.

Windsor police also charged the two with assault related to that investigation.

The parents received upgraded charges of second-degree murder following the death of one of their infants, who succumbed to their injuries in an out-of-town hospital.

The surviving infant is currently under the care of the Windsor-Essex Children's Aid Society. 

Funeral services held for deceased infant

Harjinder Singh Kandola is the former president of the Gurdwara Khalsa Prakash in Windsor. He attended the funeral service held for the deceased infant today at the Families First funeral home on Dougall Avenue. 

"It was so hard to see the baby and to be part of that experience," he told CBC News.

According to Kandola, the ceremonies for the deceased infant "are being held in accordance with the Sikh tradition."

Though Kandola said he doesn't personally know the parents, he did say that he's in talks with the Children's Aid Society to "provide any kind of assistance, to provide any care that is needed for the baby."

Kandola added that neither parent was part of the Gurdwara Khalsa Prakash, though one of the Gurdwara's members told Kandola that the parents were seen at the place of worship in April. 

"We believe in God who is the creator and we believe in all his creation as the home of God, so we cannot imagine anybody can — it's hard to believe that parents can be responsible for this," said Kandola.