The great-grandmother of Nikosis Jace Cantre says she wants the 16-year-old girl accused of killing the six-week old baby boy to be tried as an adult instead of a youth.
“I want her to go to jail for life. She should know better than that,” Eva Meechance said Monday outside Saskatoon provincial court after the youth made a brief video appearance. The teen was remanded in custody until her next appearance on July 18.
The 16-year-old girl, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is charged with second-degree murder. Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the Crown may apply for young persons convicted of serious crimes to be sentenced as an adult. They stand trial as a youth first, however.
The girl was arrested after Nikosis was found injured in a home on Waterloo Crescent on July 3. He died at Royal University Hospital as a result of the injuries, according to Saskatoon police.
Family members say relatives of the baby’s mother met the teen girl downtown the previous morning and offered her a place to sleep because it appeared she had nowhere to go.
The Justice Ministry confirmed the teen walked out of the Kilburn Hall Youth Centre around 12:45 a.m. on July 2. She had been serving a 10-month open custody sentence, which allows young offenders to leave if they choose because the Youth Criminal Justice Act prevents them from being locked inside. Once a youth leaves, however, he or she is charged with escape lawful custody.
A vigil for the victim was held last week at the East College Park home where Nikosis was last seen alive. More than 100 people came out to express condolences and show support for the baby boy and his family.
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