Witness Found in Dramatic Toddler Disappearance Case
Quebec police have turned a crucial corner in the search for three-year-old Claire Bell, after locating a vital witness who may hold the key to unraveling the mystery of her disappearance. Officers have been combing through dense terrain west of Montreal for days, with helicopters, drones, and more than 150 trained searchers scouring the area.
Mother’s Distress and Arrest
Claire’s mother, Rachel-Ella Todd, reported her daughter missing last Sunday at a store in Coteau-du-Lac—about 50 kilometers from where the child was last seen at home in Montreal’s LaSalle borough. Police say Todd appeared disoriented and made incoherent statements, complicating the investigation. She was soon arrested and charged with unlawful abandonment of a child, with prosecutors opposing her release due to the seriousness of the charges.
The Search for Answers
Authorities have focused their efforts near major highways and remote rural roads, urging the public not to join the search themselves to avoid disrupting potential evidence. Instead, they’re asking anyone with information—especially those who may have seen a grey 2007 Ford Escape with Quebec license plate K50 FVE and a “Baby on Board” sticker—to come forward.
Breakthrough: The Farm Connection
Police identified a woman who worked and lived on a farm—either in southwestern Quebec or Ontario—as an important witness. She speaks both English and French and was seen wearing an apron with the word “abondance” on it when she met Todd on the day of the disappearance. This witness could help reconstruct the events between 9:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, when Claire vanished.
Public Appeal and Emotional Response
Claire’s father, Matt Bell, has made heartfelt public appeals for help, while police continue to analyze surveillance footage and dashcam recordings from the area. The search, now in its fourth day, remains intense, with officials emphasizing that every tip could be the one that brings Claire home.
What’s Next?
As investigators piece together the timeline and interview the newly found witness, the community waits anxiously for news. Police remind the public: if you see Claire Bell—described as three feet tall, with brown hair and brown eyes, last seen in a white long-sleeve shirt with pink on the collar and grey pants—call 911 immediately
