Crown wants up to 20 years for Edmonton father whose twin toddlers were abused

EDMONTON – A Crown prosecutor says an Edmonton man whose twin toddlers were starved and abused before one of them died in hospital should serve 18 to 20 years in prison.

The prosecutor made the recommendation before showing a judge photos of the emaciated, bruised bodies of the two-year-old girls.

Their father, who cannot be named, pleaded guilty earlier this year to manslaughter, aggravated assault and failing to provide the necessaries of life.

Paramedics called to the family’s home in 2012 found the girls, who were no bigger than six-month-old babies, strapped in infant car seats.

The father has admitted that while he didn’t physically hurt the children, he knew they were starving and suffering.

His wife still faces charges, including second-degree murder, but no trial date has been set.

Court heard previously that the two-year-old girls had been deprived of food and were severely malnourished.

Paramedics found the smallest girl, weighing 13 pounds, suffering from a head injury. She slipped into a coma in hospital.

Her parents fought for several months in court to keep her on life support.

Two Alberta courts agreed that the girl, known as M, should be taken off machines on the evidence of doctors.