A day home operator has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of a seven-month-old boy in northern Alberta, and RCMP are looking to speak to any families who have sent their children to the day home.
At about 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6, RCMP received a report from the High Prairie Hospital of the sudden death of a baby boy.
Officers said the death happened at a residence in High Prairie, a town about 360 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.
RCMP said the boy’s death was ruled a homicide following an autopsy. The cause of his death was not released.
The boy’s father and maternal grandmother spoke to Global News last week and identified the boy as Oaklan Reid Cunningham.
Cunningham’s family previously told Global News they dropped him off at day home on Oct. 6 and later received a phone call to come to hospital because their son had died.
Cunningham’s mother, Shonda Desjarlais, told Global News on Monday she still has a lot of questions about what happened to her son, but is relieved a charge has been laid.
Desjarlais described her son as her “mini-me.” He had just learned how to crawl, he loved to go swimming and he loved Winnie-the-Pooh.
“He gave me so many wonderful memories and he put a smile on anyone’s face,” she said. “I was so proud and I am still so proud to show off my baby boy.
“There’s not anyone I ever met that did not love my baby because he was so smiley, so beautiful.
“He brought something into my life that I never would have thought possible. And now that it’s gone, it’s hard. It’s hard.”
Desjarlais said she lost her brother a couple of years prior to Cunningham’s birth, and “it was like he was that missing piece” for their family.
“I haven’t cried in days and I think it’s because I’ve been trying to be strong for my family, my love. I’ve been trying to be so strong for him,” she said.
“I know if I cry, then who’s going to be the strong one for them? I know they want to be strong for me, but I just always was like that and I was to be the pillar, and now it’s so hard to give that up and (let) other people be my pillar.
“I’m so thankful for everybody that’s been helping me and my family. And my family’s taking it very hard because they loved this little boy, we all loved him.”
In an update on Monday afternoon, RCMP said 29-year-old Kyra Renee Backs was arrested on Saturday and charged with second-degree murder in Cunningham’s death.
Backs remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in High Prairie Provincial Court on Oct. 24.
Desjarlais said she will be at every court appearance so the accused can see her face.
RCMP said Backs ran a day home in High Prairie at the time of the offence. Police are looking to speak with any families with concerns who currently or in the past have sent their kids to the day home.
RCMP did not know if the day home was provincially regulated or if the day home has a proper name.
Cunningham’s funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the hall on the Driftpile Cree Nation.
Desjarlais said the community is welcome and many people will be wearing orange to show that every child matters.
She also thanked the community for the support she’s received over the past few days.
“I’d like to thank my community and everyone else in this province that have heard our story and sent us condolences and prayers. It doesn’t go unheard. Our entire family are greatly appreciative of everything.”
She also had one other message to parents everywhere.
“Hold your babies tight for me, give them lots of kisses.”
Anyone with information can contact High Prairie RCMP at 780-523-3378. Anonymous information can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.
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