Stay informed with the LNN Daily Newsletter

Parents Charged in Death of Child Looking for a Stay of Proceedings

Feb 10, 2016 | 6:02 PM

LETHBRIDGE: A decision will be made later this week as to whether or not a trial will go forward for a Glenwood couple, charged in the death of their child.

In March of 2012, paramedics were called when a 19-month old boy stopped breathing. He was sent to the Calgary Children’s Hospital where he died five days later.

Following an investigation, David and Collet Stephan were charged with Failing to Provide the Necessities of Life. A press release from Raymond RCMP stated that officers believe the child had become ill in February of 2012.

With the trial scheduled to begin at the end of the month, the defence lawyer for the couple brought forward an application for a stay of proceedings Wednesday, saying there have been too many delays.

The Crown acknowledged that it has been a long process, but pointed out that a number of the delays were caused by the defence. The most recent example saw the defence lawyer agree to a trial date in September of 2015, however after scheduling it, he realized that he had booked it for the same time as his vacation and asked for an adjournment. With four weeks needed for the trial, it had to be pushed to February of 2016.

After hearing from both sides, Justice Rodney Jerke adjourned his decision to Friday.