Toronto Hotel Stabbing Leaves 12-year-old Boy Dead

A 12-year-old boy died in a downtown Toronto trauma centre after a stabbing
early Wednesday at a Toronto hotel. Police have a man in custody.
(Tony Smyth/CBC)

A man is in custody after 12-year-old boy was stabbed at a downtown Toronto hotel and later died.

Police were called to the Cambridge Suites Hotel, near the intersection of Richmond Street East and Victoria Street, just before 6 a.m. ET Wednesday.

They found the boy in life-threatening condition on the eighth floor of the highrise tower. He died in a trauma centre.

Police would not say whether he was stabbed inside a room at the hotel or in a hallway.

Hawaiian tourist Edwin Baldelomar, who is staying at the hotel, said police were canvassing the building.

"They asked me, 'Did you hear any commotion?'" he said. "It's a sad story. I just can't believe what happened."

It's not immediately known if any charges will be laid, and police would not comment on whether the man in custody and the boy are related.

Homicide Det. Omar Khan would only say there is no ongoing threat to public safety.

"We believe we have all the persons involved accounted for."

CBC News reporters are at the scene and will provide new information as soon as it becomes available.

Police are expected to provide an update on the ongoing investigation later today.

My first thoughts on reading this story was to remember yesterday's blog-post on child sex trafficking, and the 14 year old girl who wondered around a motel for days while not a soul asked her if she needed help.

It should become clear over the next few days whether this was a case of child sex trafficking, pedophilia, or something else completely.