Slowly, but surely, the trial of a Strathroy mother and her ex-boyfriend convicted in the death of a toddler is drawing to a close.
Amanda Dumont and Scott Baker appeared briefly — and separately — in a London courtroom Tuesday, as a judge set aside two days for their sentencing hearing.
They’ll be back in court Nov. 22 and 23, to hear Justice Renee Pomerance’s decision. It’s not clear yet whether there will be victim impact statements, but lawyers and the crown attorney will present their closing arguments before Pomerance outlines the pair’s fate.
It’s been more than three years since twenty-month-old Ryker Daponte-Michaud died in his crib from dehydration and shock, three days after a spilled cup of coffee left him with third-degree burns.
In the days leading up to his death, family members urged 31-year-old Dumont and 27-year-old Bakker to seek medical treatment for the young boy, but they never took him to a doctor.
Earlier in the trial process, crown attorney Elizabeth Maguire said the Strathroy couple, who has since broken up, were so selfish and self-absorbed they simply forgot the child as he lay dying in his crib.
In delivering her verdict late last month, Justice Renee Pomerance noted how Dumont was more interested in distancing herself from incriminating details than with being credible during her testimony.
Gord Cudmore, Bakker’s defence lawyer, argued his client didn’t have a legal duty to take care of Ryker, but the judge dismissed that, pointing out how Bakker would call Ryker his son.
A mistrial was declared late last year after Dumont became sick with appendicitis.
Dumont and Bakker appeared before a judge alone this time around, after a juror in the first trial died by suicide.
*Editors note: This story has been changed to reflect the fact a sentencing date will be set Tuesday, not a sentence for Dumont and Bakker.