Sentencing delayed for couple convicted in child neglect case
Sentencing has been put off for another month in a child neglect case dating back to 2013.
But in that time, between Monday’s appearance and the new October date, updated reports will be required for a husband and wife whose young daughter nearly died after they failed to provide her with adequate care.
The couple, who can’t be identified under a courtordered publication ban, were scheduled to be sentenced Monday in Lethbridge Court of Queen’s Bench. Instead, Judge James Langston remanded them into custody until an Oct. 23 appearance in order to complete counselling and participate in the Kainai Peacemaking Program.
The KPR is designed to help clients access mental health services, stress and anger management, counselling for anxiety or depressive disorders, parenting-skills development, conflict resolution, traditional elder counselling, and a variety of healing services to help offenders and victims seek resolution.
The couple pled guilty in May 2016 to a charge of failing to provide the necessaries of life, but sentencing has been adjourned several times to complete various assessments and reports.
Recent delays of program participation, the defence said, have been due to health issues for the woman, the couple’s residence lacking a phone and their lack of transportation.
The Crown suggested to have reports done with them in custody, so updates can occur during the next appearance. Crown Vaughan Hartigan said they want to know steps have been taken and that there needs to be some “finality for the community.”
Hartigan said a Gladue report will take into account circumstances facing aboriginal people.
During the hearing in May 2016, court was told the couple’s young daughter was barely alive when she was taken to the hospital in the summer of 2013. She was unable to talk and could only make incomprehensible sounds.
Her face was swollen, parts of her jawbone were exposed, and she was pale, dehydrated and suffering from overwhelming infection. The young girl was resuscitated in the Cardston emergency room, then flown to the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary where she was intubated, placed on triple antibiotic therapy and given blood transfusions.
In her report, Dr. Jennifer MacPherson of the children’s hospital noted the girl’s problems did not occur suddenly, but over a period of many weeks or months, likely stemming from cavities in her mouth.
Court was told the couple couldn’t control the girl and she refused to let them wash her hair, or send her to a dentist when she complained about her sore mouth. They bought medicine for the pain instead of making her see a dentist.
When the child became “gravely” ill, an extended family member suggested the couple take her to the hospital.
-- with files from Delon Shurtz