12/30/2025
A hearing was held before the Criminal Code Review Board of Manitoba concerning a 26-year-old woman who was found not criminally responsible (NCR) for the 2024 death of her one-year-old son in Wasagamack First Nation. The focus of this hearing was on the conditions of her detention and whether she should be permitted to have contact with her other children.
Key Developments in the Case:
The Incident: In 2024, the woman tragically stabbed her infant while experiencing a psychotic episode. She reportedly believed that Child and Family Services (CFS) were holding her family hostage and that taking her child's life would protect him.
The Diagnosis: Following her arrest, she received a diagnosis of schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to the incident. She also has a history of methamphetamine addiction.
Current Status: She has been hospitalized at the Health Sciences Centre’s forensic psychiatry unit since mid-December and is reportedly responding positively to treatment.
The Debate Over Visitation:
The primary point of discussion between the Crown and the defense revolved around the woman's access to her surviving children:
The Crown's Position: Attorney Scott Cooper advocated for a complete prohibition on contact with her children at this time. He expressed that there is currently "too little information" to guarantee that visits could be conducted safely.
The Defense's Position: Lawyer Carley Mahoney argued that supervised visitation should commence immediately within the controlled hospital environment. She emphasized that re-establishing connections with her family is a crucial element of her long-term recovery.
Medical Testimony:
Psychiatrist Dr. Amir Shamlou provided an assessment of the woman's current mental state:
Risk Level: He classified her as presenting a low to moderate risk of reoffending.
Symptom Management: While she continues to experience auditory hallucinations instructing her to pray, she no longer holds delusions regarding CFS and does not feel compelled to act upon these voices.
Recovery Factors: Dr. Shamlou noted that while she is stable in a hospital setting, her long-term success is contingent upon avoiding methamphetamine (a known trigger for psychosis) and securing stable housing.
Next Steps:
Both legal teams concur that she should remain detained in a mental health hospital, participate in addictions programming, and be prohibited from possessing weapons. The Review Board is expected to issue a formal decision regarding the specific conditions of her freedom—including the visitation ruling—later this week.
A hearing is underway for a 26-year-old woman found not criminally responsible for the 2024 death of her one-year-old son in Wasagamack First Nation. ⚖️ The focus is on her detention conditions and potential contact with her other children. 💔
