Quebec police watchdog probes woman's death

A 57-year-old woman died one day after she unsuccessfully sought police help to force her son to undergo mental health treatment, Quebec's police watchdog said as it launched an investigation into the incident.

A 32-year-old man has been arrested in connection with her death and was expected to appear in court on Tuesday afternoon, Montreal police said.

Preliminary information provided by the watchdog suggests the woman went to the provincial police station in Drummondville on Sunday asking about a psychiatric evaluation for her son, who had been living with her for the last few weeks.

The woman, whom the coroner later identified as Suzanne Desjardins, left the police station and went to work after "police were unable to immediately assist the woman in her request," the watchdog said in a news release.

At 9:30 a.m. the next day, a person called police to ask them to check on a loved one who was unreachable.

Officers at the scene found Desjardins seriously injured. She was taken to hospital, where she was declared dead.

Quebec's independent investigation agency has assigned eight officers to the case who will investigate with support from Montreal police.

A Montreal police spokeswoman did not confirm the identity of the arrested man or say what charges he could face.