Babysitter Failed to Dial Emergency Services during Toddler's Emergency, Alleges Prosecution in London, Ontario Manslaughter Trial
In a courtroom in Ontario, Canada, the trial of Meggin Van Hoof, a daycare operator, began this week. Van Hoof is facing charges of manslaughter for the death of 15-month-old Nathaniel McLellan, six years after the tragic incident.
On October 27, 2015, Nathaniel was in the care of Van Hoof. That morning, the little boy was seen happily playing games like 'Ring Around the Rosie' and dancing to the radio. However, by 8:30 a.m., Nathaniel's mother, Rose-Anne Van De Wiele, had dropped him off at Van Hoof's home before heading to work.
According to Rose-Anne, Van Hoof later told her that Nathaniel had fallen, was acting strangely, and was unable to hold his head up. By 10:29 a.m., Nathaniel was in some distress, and his mother could not buckle him into his car seat when she came to pick him up.
Nathaniel was unconscious and stiff when his mother met Van Hoof on the street. By the time he reached the hospital, he had already survived on life support for five days before succumbing to his injuries. The cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma to the head.
No evidence of a pre-existing natural disease was found contributing to Nathaniel's death. The neurological decline was so quick and severe that he ultimately suffered a 'stroke.'
Van Hoof was operating an unlicensed daycare, looking after seven children at different times during the day. The prosecution will allege that a deliberate act of 'intentional force' caused Nathaniel's death, and that Van Hoof failed to take action by not calling 911.
Prosecutor Lerren Ducharme stated that Van Hoof sent a photo of Nathaniel unconscious on her basement couch to a friend and made lighthearted comments about him. A subpoena issued by the defense team to compel a reporter to testify was quashed by Justice Carnegie.
The trial is being held by a judge alone, with no jury. The trial is expected to last four to six weeks. Nathaniel's parents, Rose-Anne Van De Wiele and Kent McLellan, are busy working individuals with Rose-Anne being a teacher in Strathroy and Kent a local small business owner.
It is unclear which police departments were originally involved in the investigation of Meggin Van Hoof before she was charged. The trial promises to be a significant event, shedding light on the events leading up to Nathaniel's tragic death and the actions of those responsible.
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