This archive report was first published on 22 June 2021.
Kenyan Man Charged with Poisoning Two Children in Toronto ¶
On March 7, 2021, a tragic incident occurred in Scarborough, Toronto, Canada, where two three-year-old girls, Bernice Nantanda Wamala and her best friend, fell ill after consuming contaminated cereal during a sleepover.
According to the Toronto police, Francis Ngugi, a 45-year-old Kenyan man, is accused of deliberately contaminating the cereal with nitrite, a substance used as a preservative in cured meats and other foods.
Ngugi, who was in a relationship with the mother of one of the girls, Maurine Mirembe, had broken up with her a month prior to the incident but remained friends.
After consuming the contaminated cereal, Bernice began experiencing symptoms of methemoglobinemia, including seizures, grey fingers, toes, and lips. She was rushed to Michael Garron Hospital, where she died a few hours later.
Her best friend, who also consumed the contaminated cereal, was taken to Sick Kids hospital and recovered.
Investigations by the Toronto police and the Ontario Coroner's Office revealed that the cereal, Golden Morn, had been deliberately contaminated. Ngugi was arrested on Sunday and charged with two counts each of administering a noxious substance to endanger life and unlawfully causing bodily harm, and one count of criminal negligence causing death.
Ngugi remained in custody on Monday, awaiting a bail hearing.
Additional reporting by Toronto Sun.
