By The Canadian Press

Calgary day home operator sentenced to 3.5 years in child’s death

May 2, 2018 | 7:42 AM

CALGARY – The operator of an unlicensed Calgary day home who pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing the death of an 18-month-old girl has been sentenced to 3.5 years.

Elmarie Simons pleaded guilty to the charge last month in the November 2015 death of Ceira McGrath.

An autopsy found the girl was asphyxiated by the strap of a car seat.

Court heard Simons put the girl in a car seat that was too small for her, secured the toddler with the seat’s chest strap and left her in a closet for more than five hours.

Simons left the day home during that time to run errands.

DON'T WASTE IT

Lacombe encouraging residents to treat water as precious resource

4h ago

Ground School Training

New aviation career pathway elevates opportunities for students

14h ago

4-7 p.m. Wednesday

City to host downtown parking feedback session

16h ago

Emergency responders were called when the child was found unresponsive and she was pronounced dead in hospital.

The judge says the death was no accident or a mistake and that Simons’ treatment of Ceira was cruel and indifferent.

Ryan McGrath, the girl’s father, says he doesn’t believe Simons is sorry for his daughter’s death and he would have liked a longer sentence.

(CTV Calgary – The Canadian Press)