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Lawyer for Calgary woman charged in death of disabled daughter waits for autopsy

Police investigate after Melissa Couture was found in a Woodbine home in April, 2016. Nancy Hixt Global News

The lawyer for a Calgary woman charged in the death of her developmentally challenged daughter is still waiting to see key evidence in the case.

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Patricia Couture, who is 68, was originally charged in April with failing to provide the necessaries of life after her 38-year old daughter, Melissa, was found dead in the home they shared in southwest Calgary.

READ MORE: Calgary woman faces more serious charge in death of her daughter

Since then, the Crown has upgraded the charge to criminal negligence causing death, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Defence lawyer Andre Ouellette told court he still has not received the victim’s autopsy report and the cause of death, and he asked for the matter to be put over to Aug. 30.

Couture, who remains free on bail, called 911 but Melissa was found unresponsive and was later pronounced dead.

READ MORE: Calgary mother charged in connection with the death of disabled daughter

Melissa had a developmental disability along with another chronic medical issue and police said their initial investigation found she did not get the standard level of care as set out in the Criminal Code.

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Watch below (April 27): A 68-year-old woman has been charged in the death of her developmentally disabled daughter who suffered from chronic medical issues. Nancy Hixt reports.

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