Republished October 12, 2016 - 10:55 AM
Original Publication Date October 12, 2016 - 9:45 AM
SASKATOON - A 16-year-old girl has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of a six-week-old boy in Saskatoon.
The teen, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, entered the plea during a scheduled court appearance Wednesday.
Nikosis Jace Cantre was found beaten in his playpen in his family's home and died in hospital July 3.
Justice officials said shortly after the teen's arrest that she had escaped from a youth centre, where she was serving a 10-month open custody sentence for several offences, including assault with a weapon.
The baby's family has said they did not know the girl and invited her to their home when they found her downtown with no place to go.
"Let there be justice for my grandson," Jeffrey Longman said outside provincial court after the guilty plea. He and other relatives, wearing T-shirts with a photo of the Nikosis, sang a song and held up signs demanding the girl get a life sentence.
Longman said he wakes up in pain every day and wants to see the girl sentenced as an adult.
"Sixteen-years old — you should know better," he said.
"He was just a baby, just six-weeks old. We just got him into our home."
The Crown earlier said it would seek an adult sentence if the teen was convicted. The maximum youth sentence for second-degree murder is seven years in custody and supervision.
The case was adjourned to Nov. 10, when lawyers are to set a date for a sentencing hearing.
(CJWW, The Canadian Press)
News from © The Canadian Press, 2016