The charge for a Langley woman accused of murdering her seven-year-old daughter last year has been upgraded.
The Crown told CTV News that 36-year-old Kerry-Ann Lewis is now facing a first-degree murder charge in the death of her daughter.
Aaliyah Rosa died in July last year. The girl was found inside a rented apartment near 200th Street and 68th Avenue.
She was the subject of a custody battle at the time, but few other details have been released.
An injured Lewis was also found at the scene. She was arrested and charged nearly a month later with second-degree murder.
On Friday, the B.C. Prosecution Service confirmed the charge had been upgraded.
In a statement to CTV, the girl's family said the update brought them some solace.
"These past six months have been unspeakably difficult for our family," they said.
"We'd like to thank IHIT and the Crown counsel for their tireless effort in building the case."
A first-degree murder charge indicates authorities believe the murder is planned and deliberate. A second-degree murder charge is used in cases where authorities believe the murder was intentional, but not planned.
