HALIFAX — Two people have been charged after Halifax police say a missing newborn was found dead Sunday.

The search began after a 23-year-old woman who appeared to have recently given birth arrived at a local hospital in life-threatening condition on Friday night.

Police said she remained in critical condition Sunday and investigators believed she had experienced a medical emergency that was not linked to violence.

The search initially centred on a residence on Willett Street in Halifax’s west end, where officers and volunteer ground search-and-rescue teams searched through the night and into Sunday morning. As new information emerged, the investigation shifted to the Prospect Road area.

At approximately 3:20 p.m. Sunday, police said human remains of an infant were located in a wooded area off Old Coach Road.

Four people known to the woman were taken into custody for questioning on Saturday. By Sunday, police said two had been released, while two others were charged with concealing the body of a child, obstruction, and indignity to a dead body.

Sukhpreet Singh, 23, a relative of the woman, and his wife, Ramandeep Kaur, 26, are scheduled to appear in Halifax provincial court Monday.

The Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.

Halifax Regional Police Chief Don MacLean said the case deeply affected first responders.

“Moments like this are among the most difficult for first responders,” MacLean said. “We felt the weight of this loss and grieved with the community while working to find answers.”

Police said the investigation remained ongoing and they extended condolences to the infant’s loved ones.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 24, 2026.