Send this page to someone via email

The mother of a three-year-old boy who was swept away by the flooding Grand River near Orangeville, Ont., last year allegedly had alcohol, cocaine and other drugs in her system at the time her son was lost, a court document says.

Three-year-old Kaden Young was swept from his mother’s arms by the current after their minivan was caught in the flood in the early morning hours of Feb. 21, 2018.

Dufferin OPP allege Michelle Hanson drove past signs and pylons indicating the road was closed.

Hanson was able to free herself and her son from the van, but the boy was swept from her arms in the strong current.

Young’s body was discovered almost two months later in Belwood Lake on April 21, 2018.

Story continues below advertisement

Months later, on Oct. 11, following an investigation, Dufferin OPP charged Hanson with impaired driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death and criminal negligence causing death.

The charges against Hanson remain before the court.

1:51 Mother of toddler swept away in Grand River charged in connection with his death Mother of toddler swept away in Grand River charged in connection with his death

WATCH: Mother of toddler swept away in Grand River charged in connection with his death

Also before the court is a separate, family matter involving Hanson.

The child custody decision was published online.

In the decision, Ontario Superior Court Justice Erika Chozik notes allegations that Hanson was impaired on the night of the incident.

Story continues below advertisement

“A toxicology report prepared by the Centre of Forensic Sciences apparently indicates that the mother had drugs and alcohol in her system. The toxicology report is not before me in evidence,” Chozik wrote. “The portions of the Crown brief referring to the results of the toxicology report are redacted. The only evidence before me of the toxicology results is the reference to it in the December 13, 2018 letter from DCAFS.”

According to the letter, after the criminal charges were laid against Hanson, Dufferin Child and Family Services (DCAFS) received information from the OPP that toxicology screens showed that at the time of the accident on Feb. 21, 2018, Hanson allegedly tested positive for Percocet, OxyContin, cocaine and alcohol.

The letter also alleges Hanson denied being impaired at the time of Kaden’s death to DCAFS.

None of the allegations against Hanson have been tested in court. She is scheduled to appear in court in Orangeville for a pretrial hearing on April 9.