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
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.