The case of Eunice Wudrich, the Aberdeen-area foster mother charged in connection with the drowning death last summer of a 22-month-old boy, will go to a preliminary hearing in the new year.
Wudrich, 45, is charged with criminal negligence causing death and endangering the life of a child in connection with the death of Evander Lee Daniels on June 8, 2010.
The toddler was found partially submerged in a bathtub of water. An autopsy determined he drowned but it also showed he suffered extensive scalding across his body.
“This is a tragedy. All kinds of mistakes get made when you’re raising kids,” said Mark Brayford, Wudrich’s lawyer, on Wednesday outside the courthouse.
“It will be for a jury to decide,” the facts of what happened, he added.
Daniels’ birth father, Chris Martell, said he is frustrated by the wait for answers.
“Delay, delay. We’re looking at another painful process,” he said.
Wudrich has chosen to be tried by judge and jury at Court of Queen’s Bench.
Before it gets to that point, however, a provincial court judge will hear from witnesses and decide if there is enough evidence to take the matter to trial at the higher court.
A closed pretrial meeting will be held Jan. 28 for the lawyers and judge in preparation for the preliminary hearing. Such meetings are routinely held so those involved are aware of specific legal issues.
badam@thestarphoenix.com
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