Had Ryker Dapont-Michaud lived he would be 5 years old today.
The couple responsible for his death, his mother Amanda Dumont and her boyfriend at the time Scott Bakker learned their fate in a London courtroom on Thursday. They were slapped with matching 9 year sentences after their convictions of criminal negligence causing death and failure to provide the necessaries of life.
The guilty duo’s time behind bars during the trial will be taken off the 9 year condemnation.
As of today, Scott Bakker has served 3.73 years pre sentence while Amanda Dumont has served 2.3 years.
— XFM News (@XFMNews) November 23, 2017
This story begins with an unfortunate coffee spill back in 2014 when Ryker was just over a year and a half old.
He sustained 3rd degree burns to 25% of his little body.
Neither Dumont nor Bakker brought him to receive medical attention. Even though a hospital was within walking distance of their Strathroy home. Even Dumont’s other children (3 young girls) knew something was wrong with the toddler. Still, the adults did little to help him.
Scott Bakker would find baby Ryker dead in his crib 3 days later. Dehydration and shock would be the cause of death.
The Judge presiding over this case described it as “a reckless disregard for Ryker’s life.”
"Had he received medical attention his chances of survival would have exceeded 95%"
— XFM News (@XFMNews) November 23, 2017
Bakker was not moved by the announcement of the sentences, but Dumont was emotional. “They’re [tears] for her son, she’s always had tears for her son. They’re for the whole situation. I don’t know how anyone who’s experiencing that wouldn’t have tears” said Ken Marley, Dumont’s defense lawyer.
Liz McGuire was the Crown attorney in this trial. During her final submissions she recommended that Bakker and Dumont be sentenced to 12 years. While the 9 years falls short of that, she was still pleased with the Justice’s decision. “It’s been a long and difficult process to get through this case. We had a lot of support though. The decision in our minds is a just decision. Everyone can now just get on with our lives.”
Marley will review appeal options with his client. While, Bakker and his lawyer Gord Cudmore will not.
This sentencing was not without conditions: Bakker and Dumont are not allowed to speak to one another and Dumont cannot talk to her daughters.
The Justice believes the punishments fit the severity of this crime, but also leave the door open for rehabilitation if Bakker and Dumont commit to a positive lifestyle going forward.
