Woman convicted in death of toddler found outside Edmonton church granted day parole

A woman convicted in the death of a 19-month-old boy found outside a church has been granted day parole for six months.

A woman convicted in the death of a 19-month-old boy found outside a church has been granted day parole for six months.

Tasha-Lee Mack and her then-boyfriend Joey Crier were each charged with second-degree murder in the death of Crier's son, Anthony Joseph Raine.

The toddler's lifeless body was found outside the Good Shepherd Anglican Church in Edmonton in 2017. Both Mack and Crier and were found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter in two separate trials.

Last year, Mack was sentenced to 8 1/2 years in prison for her role in the child's death. Her sentence was reduced by a year due to difficult conditions in the remand centre. She also received credit for time served and so had five years left at the time of her sentencing.

In its decision last week, the Parole Board of Canada said Mack has done well in a range of programs and has developed skills necessary for lifestyle changes “that should further mitigate risk.”

“The board is of the opinion that, on day parole, you will not ... present an undue risk to society before the expiration according to law of your sentence,” says a parole board document.

“Your release will contribute to the protection of society by facilitating your reintegration into society as a law-abiding citizen.”