By Patrick Burles - @PatrickBurles on Twitter

Sentencing delayed for couple in severe case of neglect (WARNING – Graphic details included)

Nov 7, 2016 | 10:53 AM

LETHBRIDGE – Sentencing has been delayed for a Blood Tribe couple, who have admitted to failing to provide the necessaries of life for endangering the life of their 9-year old daughter.

An adjournment was granted Monday morning (Nov. 7) as the Crown noted that a full Gladue report is still needed for the father, in addition to a pre-sentence report.

A Gladue report takes into account an offender’s Aboriginal heritage and events in their life that may have contributed to their actions.

The case against the couple – who cannot be named to protect the identity of the child – is centred around a period of time from September of 2012 to June of 2013.

After returning from a treatment program, the father noted that he was concerned by the child’s lack of appetite and complaints of a sore mouth, but when she didn’t want to see a dentist they didn’t make her go.

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It was on June 30, 2013, that a family member suggested the parents take her to a hospital as she appeared very ill.

When she arrived at the Cardston hospital in the emergency room, she was dehydrated, had severe low blood sugar, a high pulse and respiratory rate, couldn’t communicate, and a foul smell from her facial abscesses filled the entire emergency room. There was also massive swelling to her face, parts of her jawbone were visibly exposed on both sides and there were lice throughout her hair.

The girl was airlifted to the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary, where doctors noted her chances of survival were low, as she was dealing with a “severe overwhelming infection”, however, after seven days in the ICU, she responded to treatment.

A doctor at the children’s hospital stated that based on the condition the child was in when she was brought to the emergency room, the infection had likely been progressing for a period of weeks or even months. She added that the swelling and skin breakdown would have been very obvious.

While she survived and is now in good health, she will require further surgeries going forward and is receiving psychological therapy for medical trauma and neglect. She has also been removed from the home along with her two older siblings.

The couple will return to court December 5, at which time a new sentencing date will be set.