The Langley woman charged in the death of her seven-year-old daughter made her first appearance at provincial court in Surrey on Monday.
Kerryann Lewis, 36, was arrested and charged on Aug. 17 with second degree murder in the July 22 death of her child.
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 learning 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.
Speaking earlier on Monday, Integrated Homicide Investigation Team Cpl Frank Jang said that 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 sustained 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, Jang said, adding that he 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.”
.@HomicideTeam Cpl Frank Jang says they hope that the second degree murder charge in Aaliyah Rosa’s death has brought a bit of closure to “this deeply tragic death.” Kerryann Lewis is expected to make her first court appearance this afternoon. @BlackPressMedia pic.twitter.com/hQICeLWcLE
— Kat Slepian (@katslepian) August 20, 2018
On July 22, 2018 at about 9:30 p.m., emergency services were called to an apartment building near 200th Street and 68th Avenue in Langley, B.C. where they found seven-year-old Aaliyah Rosa deceased. Aaliyah’s death was deemed a homicide and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) took conduct of the case.
Investigators announced the murder July 23, noting this was an isolated incident and there was no risk to public safety. They also made a plea for anyone who knew the child’s movements in the hours leading up to her death to come forward so police could create a picture of what happened.
At the time, the woman was taken to hospital with injuries.
Update on Aaliyah Rosa homicide: 36-yr-old Kerryann Lewis charged w/ 2nd degree murder in death of 7-yr-old Aaliyah Rosa on July 22nd. Ms Lewis is Aaliyah's mother. 1st court appearance today.
— IHIT (@HomicideTeam) August 20, 2018
“Since the initial deployment, IHIT and its partners worked tirelessly to collect and compile all the evidence for charge approval consideration to crown counsel,” Jang said. “An extensive neighbourhood canvass was undertaken and numerous interviews were conducted.”
IHIT led the investigation and would still like to hear from anyone who has not come forward to police yet to contact them at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca. Crimestoppers is also an option and can be contacted at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
• On the day of her funeral, IHIT said it expected progress soon.
• IHIT investigates death of seven-year-old in Langley
• Childcare workers create GoFundMe campaign for murdered Langley child
– with files from Katya Slepian/Black Press Media
