Arrest in infant death lifts suspicion from Ontario family: lawyer
After being under a cloud of suspicion for years, a Parkhill, Ont.-area family is now relieved to know that someone has been charged in connection with the death of their infant son.
Nathaniel McLellan was only 15 months old when he collapsed and was rushed to hospital from his day care in Strathroy in the fall of 2015.
On Wednesday, police arrested and charged Meggin Van Hoof, 42, with manslaughter in the case. She was the child’s babysitter.
McLellan family lawyer Maia Bent, who is also handing a civil suit in connection with the death, says this is what the family has been waiting for.
“The overwhelming thing they are feeling right now is relief that they might finally be getting, at last, some justice for their child Nate,” says Bent.
For some time the McLellan family were under suspicion in this case.
“I think they’re relieved that they are no longer persons of interest in this investigation,” adds Bent. “Losing a child is every parent's worst nightmare and so while they are trying to grieve their baby there was a cloud of suspicion that’s really compounding the trauma that they felt over losing their baby.”
Bent says the McLellans will now have to endure the criminal case, which could take some time.
“They are very resilient but they have been through a lot and I think this is the first step in the healing process for them.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.