Teenager pleads guilty to manslaughter in death of 11-year-old hit in head with scooter

A teenager accused in the death of a child in 2022, after being struck in the head with a scooter, pleaded guilty to manslaughter Monday in Bathurst provincial court.

The 17-year-old, who was 15 at the time, was accused in the death of an 11-year-old in Shippagan. Both of their identities are protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Defence lawyer Johanne Thériault Paulin entered the plea on behalf of the 17-year-old, who was not present in court. The accused, who is not being held in custody, is next scheduled to appear on Oct. 11.

Paulin told Radio-Canada that she and the Crown will present a joint sentencing recommendation for her client. Paulin would not comment further on the case except to say the guilty plea was not taken lightly.

The father of the victim, who also cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, said in an interview that the plea was a relief.

"I know it won't bring [my child] back," he said, in French, adding that he is happy to see that justice will be done. The father has been attending the hearings since the case began.

At the time of the incident, RCMP told Radio-Canada the victim was struck in the back of the head with the scooter on Nov. 3, 2022.

The 11-year-old was later sent to the IWK in Halifax with serious injuries, including a fractured skull and bleeding in the brain. The child later died of those injuries.