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B.C. mother charged in 7-year-old daughter’s death appears in court

The 36-year-old mother, of Langley’s Aaliyah Rosa, has been charged with second-degree murder
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The Langley woman charged in the death of her seven-year-old daughter made her first appearance at provincial court in Surrey on Monday.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team announced Aaliyah’s 36-year-old mother, Kerryann Lewis, was arrested and charged on Aug. 17 with second-degree murder for her death.

Lewis’ appearance lasted barely four minutes.

She wore a grey camouflage print sweatshirt, black glasses and had her short black hair tied up in a low bun.

Lewis remained silent the whole time, simply leaning against the wall before reading a piece of paper handed to her by a sheriff.

The judge adjourned the hearing till Aug. 28 after being told that Lewis’ counsel was at Supreme Court for a different case this week.

On July 22, 2018 at about 9:30 p.m., emergency services were called to an apartment building near 200 Street and 68 Avenue where they found the girl’s body.

Investigators determined that it was an isolated incident and there was no risk to public safety.

Speaking Monday, IHIT Cpl. Frank Jang said police had canvassed the neighbourhood and conducted numerous interviews in the weeks since.

“This was a deeply tragic case that affected the entire community,” said Jang. “Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Aaliyah Rosa and we hope that we were able to provide some answers to her family.”

Jang declined to provide any details on how Aaliyah died, what injuries Lewis suffered, if nay,m or what the pair’s living arrangements were like.

Lewis had initially been receiving medical care, Jang noted.

Police are not expecting to recommend any more charges, he said, addinghe hoped Monday’s news would bring some level of closure to the Rosa family.

“Aaliyah is still no longer with us and her family has to pick up the pieces and carry on life without her. And now, her mother has been charged in her murder,” said Jang.

“Make no mistake: There are no winners.”

Anyone with information, who has yet to come forward to police, is asked to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca. Should you wish to remain anonymous, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

- with a file from Dan Ferguson, Langley Times