Judge tells troubled mother to clean up her act

A judge cautioned a woman who snatched her sleeping child that if she does not get her life under control, she is in jeopardy of killing herself.

Jade Alicia Lundrigan entered her former partner’s home in Murray Harbour North on April 24 while the man and the son he fathered with Lundrigan slept.

Lundrigan, who was allowed only supervised visits with the boy at the time, took her boy from the home.

The father awoke around 4:30, first noticing a framed photo of him and his current girlfriend has been smashed. He then discovered that his son was missing.

Police were called. They went to Lundrigan’s home, where the boy was found sleeping. P.E.I. Child and Family Services was contacted.

Lundrigan pleaded guilty Wednesday to breaking into a dwelling and committing theft (she stole a 12-pack of beer).

She received a suspended sentence and was placed on three years of probation – the maximum allowable period under the circumstances.

She was ordered to refrain from having any contact with her expartner and have any visitation with her child arranged through a third party.

The Crown, defence and judge all agreed the priority was not in punishing Lundrigan, but in the woman getting help to deal with addiction and mental health issues that not only put her well-being, but her life, in danger.

Chief Provincial Court Judge Nancy Orr urged the woman to get her life under control. She chastised Lundrigan for continually dismissing assistance made available from community mental health, addiction services, home care and even family.

“There are a lot of people that want to help you,’’ said Orr.