A 43-year-old man faces charges in connection with the death of a toddler more than 20 years ago.
Christopher Skinner has been charged with first-degree murder in the 1994 death of 18-month-old Tanika Seupersaud. She was found dead under what Stratford Police termed suspicious circumstances.
On Wednesday, police said they refused to give up on the case as they suspected Skinner all along, but did not have enough evidence to lay charges.
"As long as this did take, our officers never did give up on it and it's very gratifying to get some justice for Tanika and her family," says Stratford Police Deputy Chief Mike Bellai.
Police re-opened the case last year and in the last eight months had been looking at evidence, conducting new interviews and working with the chief forensic pathologist and Crown attorney's office.
They say evidence was uncovered that has led them to accuse Skinner of first degree murder, but will not elaborate as the case is now before the courts.
An uncle of Tanika's said the family is pleased, but the waiting has been hard and they feel the investigation took longer than it should have. The uncle said Tanika was a "happy, happy child."
Bellai said he delivered the news of the arrest to the family personally. "They were extremely happy, emotional, elated that finally there's some justice for Tanika."
Police would not say what caused Tanika's death or if Skinner was known to the family.
Skinner made a brief court appearance Wednesday in Stratford and has been remanded into custody. He will appear by video for a bail hearing Friday.
