A Quebec mother is charged with child abandonment as police continue searching for her missing three-year-old daughter, Claire Bell, west of Montreal.
Mother Charged with Child Abandonment in Claire Bell Case
A Quebec woman has been formally charged with child abandonment following the disappearance of her three-year-old daughter, Claire Bell. Rachel-Ella Todd, 34, appeared via videoconference at the Salaberry-de-Valleyfield courthouse on Tuesday and will appear in person Wednesday as the search for Claire enters its third day.
Todd, who has no prior criminal record, allegedly abandoned her daughter in a way that endangered the child’s life. If convicted, she faces up to five years in prison.
Search for Missing Toddler Claire Bell Expands Along Highway 30
The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) has intensified the search for Claire Bell in the area surrounding Coteau-du-Lac, roughly 50 km west of Montreal. Authorities are focusing efforts along Highway 30, between Highways 20 and 40.
SQ spokesperson Jean-Raphaël Drolet urged the public not to conduct independent searches, warning that untrained intervention could interfere with police tracking. Garbage and yard waste collection in surrounding towns has been suspended to preserve possible evidence.
Child Abandonment Charge Follows Troubling Video
The child abandonment charge comes after a video surfaced on TikTok featuring Todd holding Claire while uttering a threatening remark. The caption read, “Have you come up against a mother with nothing to lose????”
Authorities confirmed the TikTok account belongs to Todd, but said they are not commenting on the video’s context at this time.
Timeline: From LaSalle to Coteau-du-Lac
Claire was last seen at her home in LaSalle, a borough of Montreal, around 9:45 a.m. ET on Sunday. A few hours later, Todd reported the girl missing at a store in Coteau-du-Lac. A store employee said Todd appeared panicked, claiming she couldn’t remember what had happened.
Another employee called 911 immediately. Police later learned that Todd may not have been lucid during her interview, further complicating the investigation.
Digital Evidence Raises Alarms in Missing Toddler Investigation
According to Radio-Canada sources, Todd’s cellphone history revealed troubling searches, including queries about children’s funeral urns. The same day, a dead brown Chihuahua — believed to have been with Claire — was discovered near Highway 30. Police are still confirming whether the animal is the same dog last seen with the girl.
Public Asked to Help Identify Key Vehicle
Investigators are urging the public to report any sightings of a vehicle with Quebec licence plate K50 FVE between 9:45 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday. The car also displays a “Baby on Board” sticker on its rear windshield.
Police describe Claire as three feet tall, 35 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair. She was last seen in grey pants and a long-sleeved shirt with pink on the collar — likely barefoot.
Child Abandonment Case Could Be Key to Solving Disappearance
While the child abandonment charge is a critical legal development, authorities continue to stress that Claire Bell’s safe recovery remains the top priority.
The case has gripped communities in Quebec and beyond, as the public hopes for a resolution while bracing for the worst. The next court hearing for Todd is scheduled for Wednesday, as police continue deploying extensive resources in the search for Claire.
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