By Canadian Press

Quebec woman who murdered stepdaughter must spend at least 13 years in prison

Dec 17, 2021 | 3:23 PM

TROIS-RIVIÈRES, Que. — A Superior Court judge has sentenced a Granby, Que., woman convicted of murdering her seven-year-old stepdaughter to life in prison with no chance of parole for 13 years.

During her trial, the stepmother admitted to having wrapped the girl in multiple layers of adhesive tape on April 29, 2019, which prosecutors argued caused the girl’s death. The case shocked the province and led to an inquiry into the failings of Quebec’s child welfare services.

Quebec prosecutors argued at a sentencing hearing on Friday in Trois-Rivières, Que., that the woman should spend between 15 and 18 years in prison before she is eligible to apply for parole.

The 38-year-old woman, who cannot be named to protect the identity of her other children, was convicted by a jury of second-degree murder on Dec. 9. The conviction carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison, but parole eligibility can be set anywhere between 10 and 25 years by the judge.

Defence lawyer Alexandre Biron asked the judge to let his client apply for parole after ten years in prison, arguing that she presented no risk of reoffending, felt remorse and took responsibility for her actions.

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On Monday, the girl’s father pleaded guilty to a charge of forcible confinement for his role in her death.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 17, 2021.

The Canadian Press