A police car is parked outside an apartment building in Toronto where a six-year-old girl died after falling from the 28th floor.Sammy Kogan/The Globe and Mail
A six-year-old girl has died after falling from a bedroom window on the 28th floor of Toronto apartment building on Sunday evening.
Police were called to the building near Chalkfarm Drive and Jane Street, in the northern part of the city, at around 8:15 p.m. on Sunday, according to the Toronto Police Service.
The police have not yet identified the child and the investigation is ongoing, police spokesperson Amy Davey said.
“We do not know exactly how the child fell, but at this time, it does not appear suspicious,” she said in an e-mail.
On Monday afternoon, several officers were gathered outside of the apartment on the 28th floor where neighbours said the girl lived. The building, operated by Greenwin property management, dates back to the early 1970s.
Toronto Police Superintendent Jack Gurr said the police have scanned the room for evidence and determined there was no malicious intent. He could not provide further details.
Community members put up a memorial sign outside 200 Chalkfarm Drive on Monday.Sammy Kogan/The Globe and Mail
Resident Jahlique James, 25, said she often saw the little girl with her family when she was going to school in the mornings.
Ms. James said she heard about the incident around 8:45 p.m. on Sunday, and rushed down to the lobby, where other residents had gathered.
“You could cut the air. It was eerily quiet,” she said.
Ms. James, who is herself the mother of a six-year-old, said the girl was sweet and loved watching Cocomelon.
She said she is unsure how the fall happened, because the windows are supposed to lock so that they can’t open all the way. Someone came by last week to inspect her windows, she said.
“Just knowing now that a child has lost their life, it’s shocking,” she said. “I never thought I would see this happen.”
When a reporter arrived at the scene at about 11 a.m. on Monday, there was no police tape outside where the child fell. Ms. James said it looked as if nothing had happened.
“I just hope the community and even the building actually takes notice and does something about it,” she said.
Greenwin spokesperson Stephen Adler said in an e-mail: “We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident, and our hearts and sympathies are with the child’s family and all others affected.”
Mr. Adler said the company is cooperating with the investigation and that the safety and well-being of residents is a priority, adding that he will not be making further statements out of the respect for the family and given the ongoing investigation.
He did not immediately respond to additional questions about any inspection of the windows that may have occurred.
The Toronto Catholic District School Board said it is saddened by the loss.
The student’s family, friends, and all those affected are in our thoughts and prayers, Elric Pereira, the school board’s spokesperson, said in an e-mail, adding it will be offering support to students and staff.
Last year, a 6-year-old boy died after falling from the 10th floor of an apartment in north Toronto at Jane Street and Grandravine Drive.
With a report from The Canadian Press
Editor’s note: Due to an error introduced in editing, a previous version of this article incorrectly said the building at Chalkfarm Drive and Jane Street is north of Toronto. It is in Toronto.