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Toronto police say a 17-year-old boy has been charged with second-degree murder after his mother was found dead in a home.

Police said officers were called to a home on Atlas Avenue, near Oakwood Avenue and St. Clair Avenue West, on Monday to check on a woman.

When they arrived, investigators said they found a 54-year-old woman who had been dead in the house “for weeks, if not months.”

“Police arrived and they had to force entry into the house. When they did, they found the body of a deceased female in the upper portion of the house,” Det. Paul Worden told Global News.

“Based on the condition of the body, it was apparent that the body had been there for quite some time.”

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The death was deemed suspicious, and an autopsy was conducted on Wednesday.

“Due to the condition of the body, it’s very difficult to determine the cause of death. The autopsy is continuing today,” Worden said.

“There were some signs of injuries on the body that did concern us, but we’re waiting for the autopsy to get the full results.” Tweet This

Global News will not be identifying the victim because doing so would identify her son.

Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, individuals under the age of 18 cannot be identified.

— With files from Nick Westoll

EXCLUSIVE Police are on scene of the Homicide #5 of 2020. Investigators say a 54-year-old woman was murdered, found in her home near St Clair & Oakwood. I’m told the woman was found Monday & it appeared she had been dead for weeks if not months. 1 person in custody @globalnewsto pic.twitter.com/OatdJ7548x — Catherine McDonald (@cmcdonaldglobal) January 23, 2020

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