Joint sentencing recommendation for 6 years

I’m Frances Willick, a reporter for CBC Nova Scotia.

We are following the sentencing this morning of April Wendy Marie Surette.

Surette is a 32-year-old woman from Yarmouth, N.S.,  who pleaded guilty in December to manslaughter in the death of her 17-month-old son, Isaiha Surette.

On Dec. 17, 2020, Isaiha was inconsolable, according to an agreed statement of facts. Surette was feeling overwhelmed and in a moment of frustration while changing his diaper, she intentionally threw him from the bed onto the hardwood floor.

The boy was rushed to Yarmouth Regional Hospital and the next day flown to the IWK Health Centre in Halifax, where he died on Dec. 20, 2020.

According to the autopsy, Isaiha died of blunt head trauma.

The Crown and defence are making a joint sentencing recommendation of six years in prison today.