La Tribune, February 19, 1920, p. 12

PARENTS’ CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE

The parents allegedly did not provide proper care for their deceased child. – The Gagnon couple appear before the court.

Télesphore Gagnon and his wife, Marie-Ane Houde, the little girl's parents, appeared before Judge Choquette of the Sessions of the Peace Court and pleaded not guilty to the accusation of homicide. The accusation states that they neglected to provide the necessary care to the deceased child.

The accused were not allowed bail, and the preliminary investigation has been scheduled for next Tuesday, February 24.

The prosecution intends to provide strong evidence against the two accused, alleging in particular that there was mistreatment and abuse.

This is the second marriage of the accused man, Télesphore Gagnon. From his first marriage, he had a daughter, Aurore, who had been living with him. The stepmother allegedly did not get along with the child and treated her cruelly. Apparently, the father remained indifferent to the mistreatment inflicted upon his daughter.

Aurore died on February 12, and the neighbours brought her death to the attention of the coroner. The coroner held an inquest and declared that the child had been poisoned.