BRANDON, Man. — A western Manitoba woman who offered several explanations to police for the death of her toddler son has now admitted to fatally beating the child during an alcohol-induced rage.
Jessica Melissa Brandon, who had been charged with second-degree murder, pleaded guilty Tuesday to a charge of manslaughter prior to the start of what was to be a 10-day trial.
Court heard Draze Brandon-Catcheway was found injured and unresponsive when police were asked to check on the 28-month-old's well-being at a home on the Waywayseecappo First Nation in late January 2015.
The youngster was taken to hospital in Russell and later airlifted to Winnipeg but he never regained consciousness.
The Crown said an autopsy revealed Draze died of an acute blunt-force head injury, with hemorrhaging so significant he would have been symptomatic almost immediately.
Brandon will appear in court again in October to set a sentencing date.
Prosecutor Ron Toews told court that Brandon had said her son had been jumping on his bed and hit his head, or that he was involved in an accident while playing with his siblings.
He said in reality, Brandon had been sober for about two months when she bought alcohol and took at least five shots of hard liquor before passing out.
She awoke to find Draze jumping around and refusing to listen to her before she grabbed him and threw him on to the floor.
"She then remembers little, but cannot dispute administering further blows to (the child) consistent with medical evidence," said Toews.
"After much discussion and consideration, Ms. Brandon now admits that she is the cause of the injuries to Draze that ultimately caused his death." (Brandon Sun)
Brandon Sun
