Kathrynn Quita-Batugal’s former classmate says her sadness has turned to shock after learning the 19-year-old mother had been charged with the second-degree murder of her own baby.
Quita-Batugal was accused of deliberately setting a fire at the detached home where she lived with her child, her mother and other relatives.
“I used to go to elementary school with her. I always knew her as being a nice girl. Hearing this news really devastated me and for a couple of days I’ve just felt really sad and upset,” Elizabeth Parisi told Global News.
Court documents identify the baby who was allegedly murdered as Aurora Quita.
Toronto police say they responded to a fire call on Oct. 25 at 1:06 a.m. at a residence on Trethewey Drive near Keele Street and Eglinton Avenue. Six occupants were home at the time, including a 19-year-old woman and her four-month-old daughter.
The baby was rushed to hospital with no vital signs and was pronounced dead, while the woman was also rushed to hospital with serious injuries.
On Thursday, police announced Quita-Batugal had been charged with second-degree murder, arson and disregard for human life. She appeared in court remotely on Tuesday.
Court documents indicate the charges were laid on Monday, just three days after the deadly fire at the home on Tretheway Drive.
Parisi said the accused grew up in the home with her two siblings and her mother.
Another neighbour said she believes Quita-Batugal’s uncle also lived in the home but said the baby’s father did not live there. She has known Quita-Batugal for years and saw her with the baby in the last few months, but never saw her pregnant.
“I didn’t see her for a long time. I used to see her all the time walking up and down Keele Street but when she got pregnant, (she) was not seen at all,” said the neighbour, who Global News agreed not to identify.
Parisi said she had not talked to Quita-Batugal recently but often saw her walking down Trethewey Drive with a stroller.
“It seemed a little bit hard for her but at the same time, I thought she was a good mother,” Parisi added. Parisi said the father went to elementary school with them both but attended a different high school.
“We need more support out here for mothers, especially young mothers. Postpartum (depression) is a very difficult thing to deal with,” said Parisi.
Quita-Batugal remains in custody and is scheduled to be back in court on Nov. 15.