Infant boy killed in alleged Thornhill murder is identified
Court documents identify Zoya Berelovich, 37, as the woman facing a charge of first-degree murder in the death of Benjamin Berelovich. Police have not confirmed their relationship.
A woman charged with first-degree murder in the death of an infant in Thornhill last week has been identified as 37-year-old Zoya Berelovich, according to court documents that also identify the child as Benjamin Berelovich.
Police have not separately identified the pair; York Regional Police Const. Lisa Moskaluk said police will not confirm their identities or relationship, saying they do not disclose this information in the case of a domestic incident.
“We wouldn’t in any kind of domestic situation,” Moskaluk said. “Out of respect for the surviving family members or the surviving family of this poor child, because by identifying the relationship or even identifying a victim and the accused, that then identifies (others).”
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Police have long faced criticism for the practice of withholding identities in cases deemed to be domestic homicides, with critics questioning why only this class of crime would fall under such a policy and arguing that not naming results in victims being “murdered in silence.”
Police responded to a call about an injured person at the Thornhill home on Wade Gate, between Dufferin and Centre Streets, on Thursday evening.
According to police, they found an infant — identified as Benjamin in the court documents — in life-threatening condition. Paramedics transported him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Berelovich was arrested that night.
She appeared in court the next morning and is being held in custody.
Moskaluk said the investigation into the cause of death is still ongoing, as the coroner’s investigation has yet to conclude.
There are no outstanding witnesses or suspects that police are seeking, Moskaluk said.
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The charge of first-degree murder means investigators believe they have evidence the accused intentionally killed the child.
The child’s father, who is listed on the property records for the Thornhill home, posted a collection of photographs of his infant son on social media over the weekend. The photos sparked an outpouring of grief and condolences from his followers.
He did not immediately respond to a request to comment from the Star.
Berelovich is scheduled to appear in court again on Jan. 12.
The court documents do not give Benjamin Berelovich’s age.
Police services across Canada differ on when they release the identities of victims in domestic homicides; other services choose to always release names.
Regardless of internal police policy, publicly available court documents always identify the accused and victim of any crime, unless a publication ban has been imposed by a judge.
