Her mother, now charged with child abandonment, appeared in court as investigations continue.
A three-year-old girl, Claire Bell, has been found alive over 100 miles from her Montreal home after a four-day search, Quebec police confirmed on Wednesday.
Bell was spotted by a drone in a field along Highway 417, near Casselman, Ontario. She was last seen on Sunday morning in Montreal’s LaSalle borough before her mother, Rachel-Ella Todd, reported her missing later that day at a souvenir shop 30 miles away in Coteau-du-Lac.
An employee said Todd entered the store barefoot and confused, claiming she had lost her daughter. Police arrested Todd the next day and charged her with child abandonment.
Tragically, a chihuahua believed to have been with Bell was found dead nearby. Authorities say Todd’s phone contained searches for children’s funeral urns.
Claire was found “alive and well” and received food, water, and first aid.
“This is the best scenario possible,” said Sgt. Éloïse Cossette.
The investigation continues, and officials urge anyone who saw Todd’s vehicle on Sunday to come forward.