Less than a day after their daughter was removed from life support and died, the parents of the child – known as ‘M’ – were granted permission to attend her funeral.
Court proceedings were supposed to revolve around bail for both parents on Friday, but the attention of the court quickly turned to the issue of allowing the parents to attend their daughter’s funeral.
On Friday, September 14, a judge ordered medical staff at the Stollery Children’s Hospital to take the child off of life support – after the testimony of her doctor said she suffered profound and irreversible brain injury.
However, her parents fought the decision – their legal staff asked for a stay so they could file an appeal.
On Wednesday, the Alberta Court of Appeal upheld the decision, which meant the little girl would be taken off life support within 24 hours.
The parent’s lawyers attempted to take the case to the Supreme Court of Canada, but their appeal was dismissed.
The child was taken off the ventilator Thursday, and died later Thursday evening.
On Friday, the court issued an order allowing the parents to attend their daughter’s funeral, which will be held on Saturday afternoon.
‘Baby M’, along with her twin sister were rushed to hospital on May 25 – after ‘M’ suffered a life-threatening head injury.
Both of the little girls, who are two years old, were found to be severely malnourished and underweight – one weighed 6 kilograms (13 lbs.) and the other weighed just over 7 kilograms (16 lbs.)
Another child was also found in the house, that little boy is currently in foster care.
The parents are facing two counts each of aggravated assault, criminal negligence causing bodily harm and failing to provide the necessities of life.
However, there is a chance those charges could be upgraded, or additional charges could be added, now that one of the girls has died.
Although the parents are allowed to attend the funeral, an ongoing no contact order will remain in effect.
The bail review for the parents has been scheduled for October 18.
With files from David Ewasuk
