Calgary mother Shelby Herchak sentenced in infant son’s death

CALGARY – A young Calgary woman who admitted to causing the death of her infant son was sentenced to five and a half years behind bars.

Shelby Anna Herchak’s 26-day-old baby boy died after being rushed to hospital in August 2010. An autopsy found Daniel Herchak had a fractured skull and brain trauma, and had died of blunt-force trauma.

In October, Herchak pleaded guilty to manslaughter in his death.

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.

At a sentencing hearing, the Crown asked for eight years and only normal credit for pre-trial custody. The defence wanted five years in jail as well as time and a half for the months Herchak has already served.

On Tuesday, the judge sentenced Herchak to five and a half years in prison. However, with time already served, she only has about two and a half years left to serve.

“Two and a half years doesn’t seem like enough time,” said the victim’s great aunt, Susan Lloyd.

“I think we’ll be back here again, I really do.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I think we'll be back here again, I really do."

When the sentence was read, Herchak cried.

“I think they were tears of relief, she’s glad this is all over now,” said defence lawyer Kim Ross. “This has been a long road for her, an emotional one, so I think she’s happy to have it come to an end and move on with her life.”