Winnipeg father whose baby died of fentanyl intoxication pleads guilty to manslaughter

On the first day of his expected trial, the father of a toddler who died from fentanyl intoxication in Winnipeg nearly three years ago has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Garry Daniel Adrian Bruce, 40, sobbed as he entered his guilty plea and later said, “I’m sorry,” in front of his mother and two nieces who were sitting in the courtroom.

Bruce was charged with manslaughter nearly a year after the death of his year-old daughter in March 2023.

In an agreed statement of facts, court heard Bruce and his partner, Sabrina Boulette, delayed calling 911 after their toddler Hanna Boulette became increasingly unresponsive and unwell throughout the day of March 23 that year.

Court heard they also lied to paramedics about what had happened and where they were.

The girl was pronounced dead at hospital. An autopsy and toxicology reports determined the baby had died from fentanyl intoxication.

On Monday, court heard it’s unclear how Hanna ingested the fentanyl.

“What is clear is that by not seeking immediate medical assistance, life-saving naloxone was not administered in time. She was not able to be treated in the hospital,” Crown attorney Boyd McGill read from the agreed statement of facts.

“The apartment in which the family lived was in deplorable condition. It was strewn with drug paraphernalia.”

Bruce and his partner have been in custody for nearly two years. Boulette pleaded guilty to manslaughter in October and is awaiting sentencing.

In Bruce’s case, the Crown and defence put forward a joint recommendation of time served.

Manitoba Court of King's Bench Justice Christian Monnin accepted the recommendation, meaning Bruce was expected to be released Monday.

Bruce had initially sought a jury trial, but later decided to be tried by a judge alone.