A Guelph woman has been charged in connection with an assault that left a baby in critical condition.

Guelph Police say they launched their investigation in late March, after being contacted by McMaster Children’s Hospital.

The 11-week-old boy had arrived at McMaster two days earlier with serious head injuries, after initially being assessed at Guelph General Hospital.

“Anytime a child is in a situation where they have critical injuries … it is very concerning,” said Insp. Dave Pringle.

A 33-year-old woman has been charged with aggravated assault. Her next court appearance is scheduled for May.

Public health officials say it’s important for people to know how to properly hold a baby, and the dangers of improper care.

“It’s important for us to be delicate and gentle with babies of ages, but especially under that age of three months,” Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health nurse Cynthia Montanaro said, pointing to undeveloped head and neck muscles as particular concerns at that age.

Police aren’t saying if the woman and child in this case are related.