The parents of twin toddlers, whose story made headlines after the little girls were found by police suffering from alleged abuse, will head directly to trial.
The mother and father, who cannot be named to protect the identities of their children, are facing charges of second-degree murder, aggravated assault, criminal negligence causing death and two counts each of failing to provide the necessities of life.
They were originally facing two counts each of aggravated assault, however, one of the little girls – called Baby ‘M’ in court documents – died in September after being taken off life support.
After the child’s death, one of each of the assault charges were dropped, and replaced with the murder charge.
Charges were laid after paramedics were called to the family’s south side home in May 25, 2012 – one of the 2-year-old twin girls was found suffering from cardiac arrest, with life-threatening brain trauma, and the other suffering from numerous injuries.
Paramedics were able to revive the girl suffering from cardiac arrest before both children were rushed to hospital.
Doctors evaluating the girls found they were both severely malnourished – with one weighing nearly 6 kilograms (13 lbs.) the other weighing just over 7 kilograms (16 lbs.).
In this case, the Crown sought a direct indictment, meaning the couple’s case will skip the preliminary hearing and head straight to trial.
The couple, who emigrated from Algeria, remain in custody awaiting trial – the case is due back in court June 21.
