Kids admitted roughhousing with baby before death
By Dean Pritchard ,Winnipeg Sun First posted: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 08:17 PM EST | Updated: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 11:37 PM EST
The trial of a northern Manitoba man accused of killing his 13-month-old foster son took an unexpected turn after it was revealed two young girls admitted to roughhousing with the child prior to his death.
Roderick Blacksmith, 34, is charged with second-degree murder in the Nov. 13, 2008 death of Cameron Ouskan.
Blacksmith has testified he checked on Cameron in bed and found him unresponsive with vomit in his mouth. He was rushed to hospital and died a day later.
Prosecutors allege Cameron suffered prior head injuries consistent with a finding of murder.
In testimony Tuesday, Blacksmith's wife Brenda testified she was in family court a year later when she learned of a Child and Family Services psychiatrist's report in which two other children admitted to roughhousing with Cameron.
Court heard the acts included bouncing Cameron on a bed.
When questioned about the roughhousing, the girls burst into tears and admitted they had hurt the boy, court was told.
A police officer previously testified none of the other children in the home were questioned about Cameron's death.
Babysitter Larissa Cook was arrested in the killing but never charged. Cook told court Wednesday she was bathing Cameron Nov. 10, 2008 when he fell backward and knocked his head on the tub.
Cook said she didn't tell Brenda or Rod Blacksmith of the incident as Cameron didn't cry and appeared unharmed.
Brenda Blacksmith testified she was told during family court proceedings that Cook had dropped Cameron in the tub. Blacksmith said she confronted Cook who maintained Cameron fell in the tub.
Kids admitted roughhousing with baby before death | Canada | News | Toronto Sun
By Dean Pritchard ,Winnipeg Sun First posted: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 08:17 PM EST | Updated: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 11:37 PM EST
The trial of a northern Manitoba man accused of killing his 13-month-old foster son took an unexpected turn after it was revealed two young girls admitted to roughhousing with the child prior to his death.
Roderick Blacksmith, 34, is charged with second-degree murder in the Nov. 13, 2008 death of Cameron Ouskan.
Blacksmith has testified he checked on Cameron in bed and found him unresponsive with vomit in his mouth. He was rushed to hospital and died a day later.
Prosecutors allege Cameron suffered prior head injuries consistent with a finding of murder.
In testimony Tuesday, Blacksmith's wife Brenda testified she was in family court a year later when she learned of a Child and Family Services psychiatrist's report in which two other children admitted to roughhousing with Cameron.
Court heard the acts included bouncing Cameron on a bed.
When questioned about the roughhousing, the girls burst into tears and admitted they had hurt the boy, court was told.
A police officer previously testified none of the other children in the home were questioned about Cameron's death.
Babysitter Larissa Cook was arrested in the killing but never charged. Cook told court Wednesday she was bathing Cameron Nov. 10, 2008 when he fell backward and knocked his head on the tub.
Cook said she didn't tell Brenda or Rod Blacksmith of the incident as Cameron didn't cry and appeared unharmed.
Brenda Blacksmith testified she was told during family court proceedings that Cook had dropped Cameron in the tub. Blacksmith said she confronted Cook who maintained Cameron fell in the tub.
Kids admitted roughhousing with baby before death | Canada | News | Toronto Sun
