The death of a teenager from Lethbridge whose body was found in a street in the city The day after Christmas, and The subsequent criminal charges of his motherPut a projector on dependence.
On December 26, 2024, the Lethbridge police arrived at the scene of a 13 -year -old boy.
While rumors revolved for weeks in the city in southern Alberta, official information was rare until Wednesday afternoon when the police accused a 38-year-old criminal negligence woman causing death and not providing not the necessities of life.
The woman was the mother of the dead teenager and the Lethbridge police said that the two had consumed drugs together in a southern house on Christmas day. However, police said the boy had taken too much.
“Rescue measures have taken place, but as you all know, unfortunately, over time – it costs,” said Pete Christos, a staff sergeant of the Lethbridge police service.
At the time of the suspected overdose, 911 was called, but the line was quickly abandoned.
“When people hang up, we answer just to make sure because we don’t know if they are under constraint or what are the circumstances.”
According to the police, when the police arrived at home, the boy’s mother hid her son and lied about her fate because she feared being removed.
“He lacked in a local region where we keep youth, so we are watching him, trying to locate him and bring him back where he belongs,” said Christos.
Some time later in the evening at Christmas, police said that the mother and the son had left the house and went to a neighboring business. Meanwhile, the boy was still in medical distress.
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The boy was reported dead by his mother at 2 p.m. the next day.
An area nearly 1,600 blocks from Mayor Magrath Drive to the south was a 13 -year -old boy was found dead on December 26, 2024 in Lethbridge, in Alta.
Global News
Video surveillance has shown that the pair had spent the night on the street and the boy never moved from the ground, police said, adding paramedical outpatients at any time.
Two people who work in a company near the place where the boy was found told Global News that they had seen emergency speakers withdrawing the body from a foothold cleaners.
Police think that the boy died of an overdose but toxicological results to confirm that he is still under treatment. (Such tests can take weeks or months.)
“It’s there,” said Christos about illegal drugs.
“These people, if they are motivated to get drugs, they will get it.”
The expert in drug addiction, Darren Christensen, who is an associate professor at the University of Lethbridge, said that a ugly side for dependence had been shown in this case.
“If we think of the mother, I imagine it was something she wanted to do with other people and maybe the child was the only person in her life. From his point of view, (it is) probably less dangerous than the others would perceive. But, obviously, it was extremely dangerous and deadly. »»
Christensen says that the boy’s fate can also be highlighted the situation in which he was raised.
“(Drug consumption) will become more difficult to escape. (Drugs) would be considered something that is normal and that everyone would do. »»
The drug use cycle is an abyss, according to Christensen, which many have trouble getting out.
“The recovery of dependence can be difficult and is described as a chronic relapse disorder. Usually people take several attempts to recover drug use of different kinds. »»
However, Christos says that getting help is possible.
“We have community partners in our city where those who fight against dependence can ask for the help they need. Never think that we judge by that – they are there, you just have to reach out, “said Christos.
However, to avoid tragedies like this, which was described as a first of its kind, he says that the police will not rest.
“We do a lot of different things. With the opioid crisis, we try to do different projects throughout the city and focus on the apprehension of those involved in the drug trade and try to educate the public as well. »»
Blanche Isobel Irene Fick, 38, of Lethbridge, was accused of criminal negligence which caused death and not to provide the necessities of life.
Fick remains in detention and is expected to appear in court on Friday, February 7.
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