A young Toronto mother was found guilty of manslaughter Monday in the scalding death of her 10-month-old son more than three years ago.
A judge found Melissa Alexander, 25, guilty for failing to provide the necessities of life for her son Miguel, who sustained burns to 40 per cent of his body in September 2007. Alexander did not call 911 until 10 hours after Miguel was scalded. In the interim, she went shopping for CDs, leaving her son home alone with his 3-year-old brother.
Alexander maintained that Miguel had pulled a bowl of hot water onto himself. However, doctors testified at trial that Miguel was likely placed in very hot water.
Miguel's grandmother, Maria Fernandes, released a bouquet of balloons outside court Monday in memory of her grandson. She said she was "relieved" at the verdict.
"I just hope that every time she closes her eyes, I hope that for the rest of her life she won't have peace," Fernandes told reporters. "I hope the only thing that she could see for the rest of her life is Miguel's face."
Alexander is currently out on bail and has no contact with her other son, who is in foster care. She will be back in court in April for sentencing.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Austin Delaney
