Family friend says father of slain girl ‘not doing good’
The father of a slain Calgary child is devastated over her death, a close family friend said Wednesday.
Nancy Sloan was at the Calgary Courts Centre for the first appearance of the man charged with Ivy Wick’s death.
Justin Paul Bennett appeared briefly in provincial court, where his lawyer, Allan Fay, had the case adjourned for two weeks to get disclosure from the Crown.
Bennett remains detained.
Outside court, Sloan said she has many questions about the death of three-year-old Ivy.
“I want justice for Ivy,” Sloan said following Bennett’s court appearance. “She was a good kid.”
Sloan said she became a surrogate grandmother to the child, taking on a parental role with Ivy ’s dad, Chris, after the death of his mother.
“Her and her dad were so good and this has really taken an impact on Chris. They ’re just sick, they ’re just sick about it.”
Sloan was close with Chris Wick’s mother, Amanda, who died of cancer when Ivy’s mother was pregnant with Ivy.
She said the dying woman asked her to keep an eye on her children after her death.
She said Chris Wick was still dealing with the death of his mother when he lost his daughter.
“He’s just lost his mom five years ago and now he’s lost his daughter,” Sloan said.
“He’s not doing good, he’s not doing good at all.”
Bennett, 25, was arrested Sept. 7 and charged with second-degree murder in Ivy’s death.
Emergency crews were called to a Rundle home last Sept. 27 for reports of a child in medical distress. She was rushed to hospital where she died of her injuries a week later.
Police originally considered the child’s mother a potential suspect, but after the arrest of Bennett indicated they were not looking for other suspects.
Her and her dad were so good and this has really taken an impact on Chris. They’re just sick, they’re just sick about it.