Charges have been laid following the death of a 13-year-old boy in Lethbridge. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge woman charged in death of teenage son

Feb 5, 2025 | 3:39 PM

The Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) has laid charges against a woman after her child died late last year.

Officers responded to reports of a sudden death on Dec. 26, 2024, after the body of a 13-year-old boy was found on the 1600 block of Mayor Magrath Drive South.

LPS says it determined that the boy and his mother had been using drugs around 5:00 p.m. on Christmas Day when he overdosed at a south side home.

LPS says a male acquaintance tried to provide life-saving measures and a hang-up call was made to 911.

When EMS arrived at the home, police allege the mother hid him and lied about his whereabouts to prevent her from being arrested. The boy had previously been reported missing.

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Police say the parent and child left the home that evening and walked to a nearby business.

Witnesses told police that the boy appeared to be in medical distress. Video surveillance showed the pair spent the night on the street and the boy never moved from the ground.

“At no time were paramedics called,” says LPS in a media release.

At approximately 2:00 p.m. on December 26, the woman reported that her son was deceased. Toxicology results to confirm the cause of death are pending.

A 38-year-old woman from Lethbridge is charged with criminal negligence causing death and failing to provide the necessaries of life. In order to protect the identity of the victim, the name of the suspect is not being released.

The woman remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 7, 2025.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now