Tsuut'ina mother Livia Starlight killed toddler while under investigation for child abuse

A mother from the Tsuut'ina Nation on Calgary's southwest corner — who was under investigation for child abuse at the time her two-year-old died — has admitted to killing the toddler because she was frustrated by his whining.

Livia Starlight, 30, pleaded guilty to manslaughter before Court of Queen's Bench Justice William Tilleman in Calgary on Monday. She was originally charged with second-degree murder. 

Her two-year-old son, Traezlin Denzel Starlight, was admitted to hospital with serious injuries on Sept.18, 2014, and died a week later. Starlight was arrested in July 2015.

In the toddler's short life, he suffered injuries four separate times that led to police investigations, including one that was ongoing at the time of his death after his mother took him to hospital with a black eye and a head injury.

"This is such a sad case," said Tilleman. 

Texted for help after fatal blows

As her son lay dying in a hospital room, Starlight gave a voluntary statement to police, telling investigators she beat Traezlin the day before because he was whining.

Starlight admitted to hitting Traezlin in the head, pushing him while he was taking off his shoes and throwing him into a sofa.

After finding the toddler in medical distress, Starlight texted her mother, asking for help.

"Can u call ambulance 4 me my baby is not breathing I'm scared," Starlight wrote. 

Died of blunt force injuries

Medical staff at the children's hospital determined Traezlin was suffering from two brain injuries that had been inflicted at different times, according to an agreed statement of facts read aloud in court on Monday.

An autopsy report found the boy died of multiple blunt force injuries. 

The boy was seized from Starlight as an infant and lived with a foster family for about a year because of drug and alcohol concerns.

Before his death, Traezlin had been admitted to the Alberta Children's Hospital twice — in June and August of 2014 —where staff noticed suspicious injuries and police launched two investigations.

Social services returned boy to mother

In June 2014, Traezlin was in foster care but Starlight had access to him for visits through a Parent Guardianship Order.

On the last day of a two-night visit, Starlight took the boy to the hospital. Staff at the children's hospital noticed suspicious bruising on Traezlin on June 1, 2014.

It was unclear whether the injuries had been inflicted by Traezlin's foster parents or Starlight, so he was left in his mother's care while police investigated. 

She was uncooperative throughout the investigation and refused to provide a statement to police. The result of the police investigation was inconclusive.

Investigation was ongoing at time of death

Traezlin continued to live with his mother, who was being supervised by Tsuut'ina Child and Family Services, until his death in September 2014.

In August 2014, Starlight took the child to the hospital again, this time with a head injury. She told authorities Traezlin had fallen out of his car seat and landed on his head. He had a black eye, bruises on his ear and head, and swelling of his brain. 

The investigation was ongoing at the time of Traezlin's death.

Several members of Starlight's family were in court for the guilty plea Monday morning. As the facts of Traezlin's death were read aloud, Starlight cried in the prisoner's box.

Crown prosecutor Photini Papadatou and defence lawyer Alain Hepner negotiated the plea deal for Starlight, who was originally charged with second-degree murder.

Pre-sentence reports have been ordered and Starlight will be sentenced later this year.

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