It was a tragedy that shook the entire community of Port Alberni and Tuesday morning the judge read out his verdict in the trial of a father charged with manslaughter in the death of his two-month-old daughter.
Twenty-three-year-old Warren Baader was acquitted of manslaughter in the 2016 death of his infant daughter Molly.
During the three-week trial, which wrapped up in April, the courts heard that Baader told police he’d dropped Molly onto the hardwood floor while trying to feed her in the apartment he shared with his partner, and Molly’s mother, Kaitlin McMaster.
He said when he picked the baby up it was like she wasn’t breathing so he shook her. He then said she appeared to be sleeping so he put her in her bassinet and watched television.
When McMaster, who had been colouring her hair, returned to the room she found the baby pale and lifeless and called 911. Molly died in hospital a few days later.
While Crown counsel was arguing it was an intentional assault, on Tuesday the judge ruled it was not proven beyond a reasonable doubt and Baader was acquitted.
“Of course the mother of the child and her family have been horribly affected, Mr. Baader and his family have been horribly affected. There was a child lost here, this is a sad and terrible case for everyone, I just hope moving forward that there will be some healing for everyone involved now that the justice system process if over,” said Baader’s lawyer Lisa Jean Helps.
Crown counsel has 30 days to file an appeal.
April Lawrence
