'Starved to death': Oakville mother facing jail time after

daughter, 9, dies of malnutrition

insidehalton.com/news-story/9434926--starved-to-death-oakville-mother-facing-jail-time-after-daughter-9-
dies-of-malnutrition
June 13,
2019

MacKenzie said there are several aggravating factors that warrant a four-year sentence. She
said Lis had custody of Kaylie, who was completely dependent on Lis to care for her because
of her cerebral palsy.

MacKenzie said Lis caused Kaylie’s health to deteriorate over months by not providing her
enough food and water, and then did not get medical care for the girl when her condition
became life-threatening.

“This was not a one-time mistake or error in judgment,” said MacKenzie.

The Crown referred to a time in March 2016, when Marty brought Kaylie to hospital because
he was concerned she was underweight. When she stabilized, she was returned to the
custody of her mother.

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Lis received instructions that Kaylie was to see her family doctor every three months,
however, there would only be one doctor visit.

MacKenzie said staff at Kaylie’s school, concerned about her dramatic weight loss during the
2016-2017 school year, contacted the Children’s Aid Society. Between late July 2017 and
Sept. 4, 2017, Kaylie lost 14 pounds — or 31 per cent of her body weight.

The Crown noted Lis made statements to her son and a friend that Kaylie was sick and
wasn’t eating or drinking.

“Despite that we don’t have a visit to the doctor or attendance at a hospital,” said
MacKenzie.

“We have what would appear to be very little by way of notice being paid to Kaylie on Sept. 4,
2017.”

On that day, court heard that Lis called a friend to her apartment to babysit so she could
smoke marijuana at another friend’s home. MacKenzie said it appears when Lis left at 5
p.m., Kaylie was already dead.

Lis’s lawyer Sarah Lawson said two-and-a-half years in custody, minus a one-year pre-
sentence custody credit, and probation would be a more appropriate sentence.

She said mitigating factors include the Oakville woman’s guilty plea and her lack of a prior
criminal record.

Lawson said her client also feels great remorse for what she has done.

“She acknowledges that she failed to act as a parent — as a mother, to obtain medical care
for Kaylie when she had a duty to do so,” said Lawson. “She acknowledges that she failed
Kaylie.”

Lawson described Lis as a single mother who was not only looking after two children,
including a special-needs child, but also her elderly mother, who had Alzheimer’s.

Hard drug use had been an ongoing issue for Lis, however, following the death of her
mother in March 2017 the use intensified.

Lawson said Kaylie became ill at respite care during the summer of 2017 and would not eat
or drink, despite Lis trying to feed her and give her water.

Lawson said Lis believed Kaylie would “bounce back” but says not getting medical attention
for Kaylie was a massive failure on the mother’s part.

Victim impact statements were filed in court by members of Kaylie’s family.

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Ruth Lalande described her granddaughter as a “little angel” and a “bright, interesting little
girl” who would bounce around in her chair and squeal with joy and laughter.

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A statement filed by Kaylie’s aunt Lisa Lynn Lalande and uncle Philip Lalande described Lis
as an evil person and called on the court to deliver justice for Kaylie.

“There were days where I couldn’t eat because I honestly felt guilty,” reads the statement.

“This poor child starved to death so why am I eating?”

Marty showed pictures and a video of a smiling Kaylie enjoying the swing ride at the Milton
Fairgrounds.

Those present also heard from Lis, who read a prepared statement.

“I never meant for this to happen. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t miss you,” she
said, sobbing. “I failed you Kaylie and for that I will be forever and truly sorry … If I could
change places with you I would.”

Kaylie’s father left the courtroom as Lis spoke.

Justice Baldwin will hand down Lis’s sentence on Aug. 16.

VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT: Ruth Lalande

VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT: Li ... by on Scribd

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