Sunday, December 14, 2025
ADVT 
National

Calgary parents sentenced to 6 years in prison for toddler's scalding death

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 Jul, 2025 10:59 AM
  • Calgary parents sentenced to 6 years in prison for toddler's scalding death

A Calgary mother and father who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the scalding death of their toddler have each been sentenced to six years in prison.

Justice Glen Poelman of Court of King’s Bench says the couple displayed wanton disregard for the safety of 18-month-old Gabriel Sinclair-Pasqua, who died in 2021.

Sonya Pasqua and Michael Sinclair both told court they're extremely sorry and heartbroken over the death.

Court heard the child received head trauma and was scalded, with the burns covering a third of his body.

It was told the scalding was so severe that the boy should have received immediate care, but the parents didn't seek help and tried to treat the burns with honey.

Sinclair was given roughly 3 1/2 years credit for time already served in custody while Pasqua received about 1 1/2 years credit.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Graveland

MORE National ARTICLES

Surrey adds 60 new bus shelters to improve transit experience

Surrey adds 60 new bus shelters to improve transit experience
The initiative, led by the City’s Engineering Department in partnership with Pattison Outdoor Advertising, will begin in July 2025. The first phase will see 30 new shelters installed at high-ridership locations at no cost to the City. The second phase, funded through the 2025 Community Works Fund Agreement (CWFA), will support the installation of up to 30 additional shelters in underserved areas based on public feedback and accessibility needs.

Surrey adds 60 new bus shelters to improve transit experience

Punishing temperatures return to Central Canada during record-breaking heat wave

Punishing temperatures return to Central Canada during record-breaking heat wave
Forecasters warn extreme heat this early in the season can be particularly alarming since people are not acclimatized to the high heat and humidex values, which are well above normal. 

Punishing temperatures return to Central Canada during record-breaking heat wave

Rustad says staff won't give RCMP 'blackmail' statement as leadership vote begins

Rustad says staff won't give RCMP 'blackmail' statement as leadership vote begins
Rustad, whose leadership of the Opposition is under review in a months-long process that got underway last weekend, has faced questions over his handling of the allegations against a group of former Conservative MLAs he accused in a letter to his caucus.

Rustad says staff won't give RCMP 'blackmail' statement as leadership vote begins

Alberta's auditor general granted extra $1M for health procurement probe

Alberta's auditor general granted extra $1M for health procurement probe
His investigation began earlier this year as a result of allegations made by the former head of Alberta Health Services, the provincial health authority.

Alberta's auditor general granted extra $1M for health procurement probe

RCMP identify second victim of Banff rockfall as man, 33, from Surrey, B.C.

RCMP identify second victim of Banff rockfall as man, 33, from Surrey, B.C.
The second deceased person has previously been identified as 70-year-old Jutta Hinrichs, a retired university professor from Calgary.

RCMP identify second victim of Banff rockfall as man, 33, from Surrey, B.C.

Canada signs security and defence partnership with Europe

Canada signs security and defence partnership with Europe
The agreement commits them to collaborate more on defence and is a step toward Canada participating in the continent's massive new defence procurement program, known as ReArm Europe.

Canada signs security and defence partnership with Europe