Latest news with #Mattern
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Failure to protect child who died ‘inexcusable'
A 40-year-old Winnipeg man said he had 'no excuses' to offer after his baby daughter died with methamphetamine in her bloodstream. 'I was meant to protect her, and I didn't,' Christopher Mattern told provincial court Judge Murray Thompson at a sentencing hearing Thursday afternoon. Mattern, who previously pleaded guilty to one count of failing to provide the necessaries of life, was sentenced to 21 months time served. Court heard Mattern and the girl's mother have long struggled with drug addiction and used methamphetamine regularly in their Westdale neighbourhood home. On Feb. 2, 2022, the couple awoke to find their three-month-old daughter not breathing and called 911. She was rushed to hospital and pronounced dead that day. Police found the couple's house in 'hoarding-like living conditions,' with drug paraphernalia throughout the home, Crown attorney Alanna Littman told court. 'Other drug users would visit and use the residence as a place to use methamphetamine,' Littman said. 'The couple would allow this to take place, having no concern for the (child's) safety.' An autopsy detected the presence of methamphetamine in the child's bloodstream, but not the amount, and a cause of death could not be determined. Littman said there is evidence the girl was born with 'respiratory issues,' had contracted COVID-19 shortly after her birth and was doing 'quite poorly' the week before she died. 'The Crown does not need to prove that Mr. Mattern knew the risk of danger or intended to expose his child to any risk of danger,' Littman said. 'It is accepted that there is no safe level of exposure to an illicit drug… It is on that basis that he has pleaded guilty.' Defence lawyer Matt Munce said Mattern's substance abuse struggles started in his teens, when he learned he was adopted. He remained a 'functioning substance user' through most of his adult years until methamphetamine took him on a 'downward spiral he couldn't control,' Munce said. Since his release on bail in May, Mattern has abided by all of his release conditions, reconnected with his faith and participated in counselling, showing evidence of 'sincere and genuine remorse,' Munce said. Thompson called Mattern's actions 'inexcusable.' 'A 90-day-old baby is so vulnerable… they rely on parents to protect them,' Thompson said. 'I'm sure your parents and her grandparents are heartbroken. Their loss is unimaginable.' Mattern received 1.5 days credit for each day served before his release on bail, the equivalent of approximately 21 months. Thompson sentenced Mattern to an additional two years of supervised probation, during which he is to undergo additional counselling as ordered and not be alone with anyone under the age of 16. Co-accused Alison Kimberly Muise, 41, is set to stand trial in September. Dean PritchardCourts reporter Dean Pritchard is courts reporter for the Free Press. He has covered the justice system since 1999, working for the Brandon Sun and Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in 2019. Read more about Dean. Every piece of reporting Dean produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Global News
20-05-2025
- Global News
RCMP investigate after electric substation shot at, causing oil leak and power outage
An investigation is underway after an electricity substation near the Alberta-Saskatchewan boundary was shot at Monday, spilling oil and leaving thousands in the dark. RCMP say they responded to a firearms call at an ATCO substation in Lloydminster, a town straddling the provincial boundary. They say the facility was shot at and a bullet hit an oil tank, knocking out power to more than 8,400 residents for almost five hours and releasing roughly 20,000 litres of oil. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Preliminary estimates place the cost of damage and environmental cleanup at about $1.1 million. Police are also investigating several break-ins that took place during the outage but say there's no evidence to suggest a connection. Amanda Mattern, vice-president of operations for Atco Electric, says the company has partnered with an environmental management company to address and mitigate any impacts. Story continues below advertisement 'Safety, environmental responsibility and the reliable restoration of service have been our top priorities,' Mattern said in a statement Tuesday. 'We thank our customers for their patience and understanding as we continue to support the RCMP's investigation.'
Los Angeles Times
11-03-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Letters to the Editor: Strong narration guides reader through piece on leg-lengthening procedure
To the editor: I just want to applaud the writing of Los Angeles Times journalist Brittny Mejia ('The journey to becoming a tall drink of water,' March 7). In her story about patients getting leg-lengthening surgery I felt like I was there during the surgical procedure. She writes like a novelist or a poet. Writing like this keeps me a loyal L.A. Times subscriber. The following was particularly memorable: 'He was creating a line of perforations circling the femur to make it easier to break the strongest bone in the body, akin to the small holes that help tear a paper towel. When the doctor removed the drill to cool it down in the tech's waiting cup of water, steam-like wisps of smoke radiated.' 'After pulling out the osteotome, the doctor moved Mattern's whole leg to the right until there was a loud 'snap,' like a wishbone breaking.' Keep up the great writing! John Szabo, Newport Beach .. To the editor: I had a leg-lengthening procedure in 2013 using the Precice device due to a hip fracture. This life-saving device was nothing short of a miracle for me. Yes, the surgery was horribly painful, but it was worth it in the end. Patricia Cuthbert Urista, San Pedro
