Photo: CTV News

A Langley mother accused of murdering her seven-year-old child last year is now facing upgraded charges, looking at first-degree murder instead of second. 

Aaliyah Rosa died in July 2017 and was found inside a rented apartment near 200th Street and 68th Avenue in Langley. 

The Crown told CTV News that Aaliyah's mother, 36-year-old Kerry-Ann Lewis, is now facing first-degree murder charges. She was found injured at the scene at the time of the incident, and was arrested nearly a month later. 

The girl's family told CTV News that the update in charges had brought 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 second-degree murder charge, like Lewis had previously been facing, indicates authorities believe the killing had not been planned ahead of time. The current first-degree charge means they believe the murder was both intentional and planned. 

-with files from CTV Vancouver