With their heads hung low, a London couple who locked their nephew in a bedroom for up to two years has been sentenced to 18-months in jail.
The 45-year-old man and 51-year-old woman, who moved to London from Korea, also received two years probation and were ordered not to communicate with the young boy. The couple cannot be named to protect the identity of the boy.
The sentence was handed down on Wednesday at the London courthouse and came months after the couple pleaded guilty to failing to provide the necessaries of life.
In delivering the sentence, Ontario Court Justice John Skowronski said, "I don't believe we will see you in the courts again. I hope you see why this (the sentence) had to be so strong. Letting others know that these actions will result in serious consequences."
The couple was arrested on May 29, 2014 after police discovered the then 10-year-old boy, malnourished and wearing urine soaked pajamas in a home on Asima Dr.
The boy had been locked in a bedroom that was littered with garbage, feces, and urine. He had never attended school or seen a doctor or dentist. During his 18 to 24 months inside the filthy room the boy was fed fast food twice a day. When the food was delivered by his aunt he would always tell her "sorry." That was his only human contact.
In July, the court heard the boy's grandparents had brought him to live with his aunt and uncle in Canada in 2010 after his mother died and his father was unable to care for him. He was confined to the bedroom after a shoulder injury left the aunt unable to control him. In his victim impact statement, the boy described being nervous, confused, lonely, sad, and, jealous because he couldn’t go outside. Now thriving in foster care, the boy told the court he "goes to the store, plays games, goes to the library, and has lots of friends.”
Skowronski referenced the boy's victim impact statement during Wednesday's sentencing, saying "things taken for granted by other children he [the boy] felt special enough to include in his statement."
While the defence had asked for one to two years under house arrest, Skowronski said he was compelled to reject the conditional sentence. He cited the breach of trust and squalid living conditions as aggravating factors that lead him to his decision. He did however note the couple is extremely remorseful and a low risk to re-offend. In a joint letter of apology, the couple expressed sorrow and remorse for their actions, wishing only the best for the boy, and wanting his forgiveness.
Skowronski said he would leave it to Family Court to decide what sort of access the couple can have to their daughter. The Children's Aid Society apprehended the daughter after the boy was discovered. Unlike the boy, she was well cared for by the couple.
The woman became emotional as she was lead out of the courtroom, tearing up as she looked back at family. The man stared solemnly at the floor.
Speaking outside of the courthouse, Defence Lawyer Damon Hardy told reporters it was unlikely the couple would appeal the decision.
"We knew it was going to be a close call. We knew this was a distinct possibility. Our clients, I think, understood that as well," said Hardy. "While we're disappointed I can't say we are altogether surprised."
Hardy described the pair as being upset, frightened, and disappointed by the jail time.
"While in their eyes it's an unfortunate result today, it's an important day in that they begin the process of paying back their debt which they've understood from day one," said Hardy.