“I failed in my duty”: the mother who caused an Amber Alert in January receives a “lenient” prison sentence

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A young mother who caused the outbreak ofan Amber Alert after removing her baby doll finally received a little less than a year in prison after apologizing profusely for having “failed” in her role as a mother.

“I failed in my duty as a mother, I failed to protect you, I regret it deep in my heart. I failed, but I will equip myself to equip you in my turn,” the accused said in tears while reading a letter intended for her little daughter.

Just before, the young woman, barely 18 years old, pleaded guilty to kidnapping for an event that occurred last January.

This is because at the time, the little one had been placed with her maternal grandmother due to violent events that had occurred a few months earlier in the family home, but in which the mother does not seem to have played a role. .

The little one was getting better, until she vanished one fine morning.

Nowhere to go

“The grandmother called the police and a large-scale investigation was launched, leading to an Amber Alert in the afternoon,” explained Me Jérôme Laflamme.

Having no place to go, the parents, who had left with the child, went to a mosque. An imam recognized the child and tried to call 911, but a technical problem meant that it did not work. The parents then left. Unable to find shelter, the mother then showed up with her child at another mosque, but an employee recognized them and contacted the police.

“She was found there, sleeping with her baby,” the prosecutor explained.

The Amber Alert was then lifted.

Domestic violence

The accused, who cannot be named to protect the identity of her child, admitted her wrongs Thursday at the Montreal courthouse. But if she was able to get away with a “lenient” sentence of 10 and a half months of incarceration, it is because she is caught in a cycle of domestic violence.

“It’s a prison for the mind and the body,” said Me Laflamme. It’s a known dynamic, she didn’t want to file a complaint. But we have a little glimmer of hope that she realizes it.

Me Myriam Chakir, of the defense, added by affirming that her client had “become aware” of her problem during her preventive detention and that she was now better supported.

Faced with this particular situation, Judge Christian M. Tremblay therefore agreed with the lawyers’ suggestion, while recalling that the crime should not go unpunished.

“This is a serious mistake for which you will pay, but that does not mean that you cannot learn from your serious mistake,” said the magistrate.

With reddened eyes, the young woman thanked the judge before returning to detention. Once free, she will have to serve two years’ probation.

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