A 31-year-old Brampton man faces a charge of second-degree murder in the death of his young son.
Police say Garfield Boothe – already charged with failing to provide the necessities of life – will be formally charged with murder when he appears in court on Tuesday.
"The parent in this particular case wasn't providing what was required for his child to live," Const. Adam Minnion said on Monday. "Tragically, this is the result."
Police found Shakeil Boothe, 10, without vital signs around 5 p.m. Friday, when they responded to a medical call on Homeland Court, near Queen Street East and Dixie Road.
The boy was pronounced dead soon after and, though an autopsy was done on Saturday, the cause will not be released.
“When I saw the yellow tape go up, I knew it wasn’t good,” crossing guard Tawnya King told CityNews. “This is very devastating. He was a very nice child, very polite.”
Boothe had told neighbours he brought Shakeil from Jamaica to Canada. At the time of his death, the boy was living with his father, stepmother, and younger sibling.
Homicide detectives are asking anyone with information to call them at (905) 453-2121, ext. 3205 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).