An 8-year-old girl was critically injured in Quadeville, Ont., prompting OPP to warn parents to keep children indoors as the investigation continues.
Community Alarm After Mysterious Injury
Residents of Quadeville, a small village in eastern Ontario, are grappling with fear and uncertainty after an eight-year-old girl was found critically injured in a nearby wooded area early Tuesday morning. The incident has prompted the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) to issue a rare public safety warning, advising parents to keep their children indoors or under close supervision.
The village, located roughly 60 kilometres southwest of Renfrew in Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan township, was shaken by the sudden emergency response, which included local firefighters, paramedics, and police.
Emergency Response in Remote Village
Shortly after midnight on Tuesday, first responders located the injured girl in a wooded area behind homes on Quadeville Road. According to Jordan Genrick, chief of the local fire department, firefighters assisted OPP officers in retrieving the girl from the forest at approximately 12:30 a.m.
Paramedics from Renfrew County treated the child at the scene before she was airlifted to CHEO, the children’s hospital in Ottawa, by Ornge transport service. Officials confirmed she sustained critical injuries consistent with an animal attack, although the exact circumstances remain under investigation.
Missing Child Report Issued Hours Earlier
The OPP had issued a missing persons bulletin Monday evening after the child was last seen around 6 p.m. at a local grocery store. Community members joined in the search effort that evening, with police canines eventually locating the girl in the forest.
While police have not officially connected the missing person alert to the injury, the timing and location suggest a close link. Police tape continues to block access to the area behind residential homes, as forensic and wildlife officers examine the scene.
Investigation Ongoing, Residents Cautioned
Police have emphasized that while the incident appears isolated, they are not ruling out any possibilities. “We honestly don’t know what the source of the injuries was,” said OPP spokesperson Bill Dickson. “Until we do, we’re urging caution.”
Residents have reported visits from officers asking whether they had seen wildlife or kept pets outdoors. Though no official wildlife sightings have been confirmed, concern is growing over what kind of animal could be responsible—and how it came into contact with a child.
Community in Shock, Events Cancelled
The impact on Quadeville, a community of fewer than 1,600 residents, has been profound. The local fire department announced it would withdraw from upcoming Canada Day events, including a fireworks display, citing respect for the family and concern for responders’ mental health.
“Out of respect for the family, community & our firefighters’ mental health, we hope you understand,” the department wrote in a social media post.
John Hodge, a nearby resident, described the police presence in the early hours and the disturbing nature of the events. “Hopefully she’s going to be okay and this was just an isolated incident,” he said. Other residents echoed the sentiment, expressing both empathy and unease.
Authorities Urge Vigilance
As the investigation continues, police are working closely with medical staff and wildlife experts to identify the nature and source of the attack. For now, families are urged to remain cautious and report any suspicious animal activity to authorities.
Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact the Killaloe OPP detachment. Meanwhile, Quadeville waits for clarity—and hopes for the child’s recovery.
For continuous coverage and real-time updates, keep following Maple News Wire.
