A Strathroy man and woman convicted in the scalding death of a 20-month-old boy will learn their fate next month.
Amanda Dumont and Scott Bakker will be sentenced during a two day hearing beginning on November 22 at the London courthouse. They were found guilty on September 28 of criminal negligence causing death and failing to provide the necessaries of life in the death of Dumont’s son, Ryker Daponte-Michaud. He died of dehydration and shock in May 2014, three days after suffering severe burns when a cup of hot instant coffee spilled on him.
Dumont and Bakker appeared in person, although separately, at the courthouse Tuesday for the sentencing date to be set.
Despite being advised by several family members to take Ryker to a doctor in the days prior to his death, Dumont and Bakker failed to seek medical treatment. At one point, the couple told Dumont’s grandmother over the phone that they had taken Ryker to a clinic and were getting him medical creams at a pharmacy. The clinic they said they went to was closed on the day they claimed to have gone.
Ryker had second and third degree burns over 25% of his body, on his upper legs, genitals, back, and buttocks.
When delivering her verdict last month, Justice Renne Pomerance called the tot's death "tragic and needless" and noted proper medical intervention undoubtedly would have saved his life.
Bakker's lawyer Gord Cudmore said there is still a lot of ground to cover before his client and Dumont are sentenced but it is hoped the two days set aside in November will be enough to conclude the case.
"Both counsel for both accused will make submissions as to what they think the appropriate sentence should be. The Crown attorney will do likewise. We will answer any questions the judge has. There will be pre-sentence reports filed and then her honour will take whatever time she needs to come back with a sentence - which we are hoping will be the next day."
The maximum sentence for criminal negligence causing death is life in prison. Failing to provide the necessaries of life carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.