Work at a Hanover construction site has been halted after an infant's remains were discovered earlier this week.
Hanover Police responded to the site around 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday morning and through consultation with the Coroner’s Officer and a forensic anthropologist, it was determined that the remains were that of a 12-to-18-month-old child that had been buried there a century ago.
Police would not confirm the site of the discovery to avoid potential issues with trespassing.
Because there was no criminal element to the finding, the Registrar of Ontario’s Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act has assumed control of the site. A halt to the construction project has been ordered, pending archeological work to uncover and exhume all of the remains so they may be interned in a local cemetery.
Under the Act, the owner of the land will also be responsible for ensuring that the remains found in the site are interred in a cemetery, including covering the cost of burial.
Police say they are working with Town of Hanover officials to search historical records to determine the identity of the child and if any living ancestors remain.
Anyone with information can contact Hanover Police at (519) 364-2411.
