Yarmouth woman pleads guilty to manslaughter in 2020 death of infant son

A Yarmouth, N.S., woman has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the 2020 death of her 17-month-old son.

April Wendy Marie Surette, 32, pleaded guilty in Yarmouth provincial court on Monday morning. Isaiha Surette died at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax on Dec. 20, 2020.

An agreed statement of facts filed in court on Monday states that the province's chief medical examiner conducted an autopsy on the boy and determined that his death was caused by blunt head trauma.

The document says on Dec. 17, 2020, at their home in Yarmouth, Isaiha was "inconsolable" and Surette was "feeling overwhelmed."

"In a moment of frustration, while changing Isaiha's diaper, April intentionally threw Isaiha from the bed onto the hardwood floor with sufficient force to cause the brain trauma that led to Isaiha's death," the document says.

The boy was rushed to Yarmouth Regional Hospital, and was taken to the IWK by Life Flight air ambulance the next day.

Phone search history

The court document says Isaiha was in foster care during the months leading up to his death, but was returned to Surette's care in early December 2020.

Surette was struggling to establish a bond with the boy, the document says, and conducted various searches on her phone in the days leading up to the incident, including:

• "I don't love my 17-month-old" on Dec. 12.

• "My 17-month-old was in foster care and I don't like him" on Dec. 12.

• "It's annoying when I see my 17-month-old" on Dec. 12.

• "I hate my 17-month-old baby" on Dec. 12.

• "My 17-month-old cries way too much" on Dec. 12.

• "How to get help if you hate your 17-month-old" on Dec. 13.

• "Bonding with your child after foster care" on Dec. 13.

• "Is it OK to let a dog and cat babysit a 17-month-old baby?" on Dec. 14.

• "I really hate myself" on Dec. 14.

• "Why doesn't my 17-month-old laugh when I tickle" on Dec. 16.

• "My 17-month-old isn't ticklish does he have anxiety" on Dec. 17.

• "Small brain bleed in 17-month-old" on Dec. 18.

On Dec. 13, Surette sent a message to the boy's father saying, "I can't help it … but I don't like Isaiah much … just not sure why," and "I never bonded with Isaiah so … it changed me and it's not my fault."

She also texted a parent-support worker the day before she threw Isaiha on the floor, saying she thought he might have autism and anxiety.

Previous not-guilty plea

Surette previously pleaded not guilty to the charge, and the case was scheduled for a judge-alone trial this week, but Surette instead entered a guilty plea on Monday.

As Judge Mark Scott prepared to read the charge to Surette, he said, "I know that this is an emotional day and a difficult day for you," and reminded her to respond verbally to his questions.

He then read the charge to Surette and confirmed that she understood the implications of pleading guilty, including that she was giving up her right to a trial and was aware of the possible penalties for the conviction.

“I am satisfied that the guilty plea is voluntary, unequivocal and informed," Scott said.

'The public should know,' Crown says

Crown prosecutor Robert Kennedy said in an interview with the CBC on Monday that he is "satisfied" with the resolution of the case.

"This case involved serious violence against an individual who would be in the highest degree of vulnerability in our society, and I think the public should know that these types of things are happening in our community," Kennedy said.

"The public, with that information and knowledge, can act vigilantly if they see signs that this kind of violence or violence against children is being exhibited in our community."

The Crown and defence plan to file a joint submission for a sentence of six years in prison. Surette is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on March 23.

The CBC reached out to defence lawyer Tim Peacock but has not yet received a response.

A second charge of failing to provide the necessaries of life will be dealt with at Surette's sentencing appearance.

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