EDMONTON - Mourners gathered at an Edmonton mosque Saturday for the funeral of a two-year-old girl allegedly abused by her parents, both of whom attended the service under armed guard.
The child, who can only be identified as Baby M, was taken off life-support Thursday and died at the Stollery Children’s Hospital after a four-month coma.
Baby M’s parents, both 34-year-old Algerian immigrants, are each charged with two counts of aggravated assault, criminal negligence causing bodily harm and failing to provide the necessities of life to the girl and her twin sister, who is now in foster care with an older brother.
About 150 people, including many children, gathered at the Al-Rashid Mosque at 13070 113 St. for the toddler’s funeral prayer, which took place after the daily lunchtime prayer.
Baby M lay in a tiny pink casket at the front of the mosque.
The mother and father, in custody at the Edmonton Remand Centre awaiting trial, were granted permission to attend the funeral but were not allowed to speak to one another.
Following gender segregation protocol in mosques, the father stood on the main floor with other men while the mother attended with other women upstairs. Both parents were heavily guarded.
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