Fact Check: "Mother arrested for child abandonment after toddler's mysterious disappearance!"
What We Know
On June 15, 2025, a three-year-old girl named Claire Bell was reported missing from her home in LaSalle, Quebec. Her mother, Rachel-Ella Todd, reported her missing at a store in Coteau-du-Lac, approximately 50 kilometers west of Montreal, claiming she had lost her child and did not know where she was (source-1). Following extensive search efforts involving helicopters, drones, and approximately 150 officers, Claire was found alive on June 18, 2025, near St. Albert, Ontario (source-2).
Rachel-Ella Todd was arrested on June 16 and charged with child abandonment, as investigators believed she had put her daughter's life and health in danger (source-3). Reports indicated that Todd had exhibited confused behavior during her interactions with police and had made alarming internet searches prior to the incident, including searches for children's funeral urns (source-4).
Analysis
The claim that the mother was arrested for child abandonment following her daughter's mysterious disappearance is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) confirmed Todd's arrest and the charges against her, which include allegations of abandoning her child (source-5). Additionally, the circumstances surrounding the disappearance, including the mother's erratic behavior and concerning online activity, lend credibility to the charges.
While the child was ultimately found safe, the context of her disappearance and the mother's actions leading up to it raise significant concerns. The police's decision to charge Todd reflects their assessment that her actions may have endangered Claire's safety (source-6). The reliability of the sources reporting on this incident is high, as they include established news organizations and official police statements.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that Rachel-Ella Todd was arrested for child abandonment after her daughter Claire's mysterious disappearance is true. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that Todd was charged with child abandonment following the circumstances surrounding her daughter's disappearance and the subsequent search efforts that led to Claire being found alive.
Sources
- Quebec police find important witness in search for missing ... CBC
- Mother of missing Quebec toddler arrested as search for 3- ... YouTube
- Mother of missing 3-year-old girl from LaSalle arrested, charged with child abandonment CityNews
- Mother of missing LaSalle girl Claire Bell arrested, charged ... Montreal Gazette
- Mom of missing 3-year-old Montreal girl charged with child ... CP24
- Mother charged with child abandonment as search for ... CBC
