Authorities in Quebec are seeking an important witness in the search for three-year-old Claire Bell. Provincial police are looking for a woman who worked and lived on a farm and is believed to have met the child's mother, Rachel-Ella Todd, on Sunday between 9:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. in southwestern Quebec or Ontario.

The woman, who speaks both English and French, was wearing an apron with the word 'abondance' on the front. Todd parked her SUV outside a store in Coteau-du-Lac, went inside, and informed staff that she couldn't find her daughter.

Todd briefly appeared via video conference from a police station in Vaudreuil before being detained at the Leclerc prison in Laval. Crown prosecutor Lili Prévost Gravel opposed the accused's release due to the seriousness of the charge. Todd is set to appear again on Wednesday afternoon to schedule a bail hearing.

Claire Bell is described as three feet tall, with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a white long-sleeve shirt with pink on the collar and grey pants. Her mother was driving a 2007 grey Ford Escape with a 'Baby on Board' sticker and the licence plate K50 FVE.

Authorities urge anyone who sees the girl or has information on her whereabouts to contact 911. Witnesses can provide tips anonymously.