One daughter died: Edmonton man sentenced to 15 years in twins abuse case

EDMONTON – A judge has sentenced an Edmonton man to 15 years in prison for neglecting and starving his young twin daughters to the point where one of them died in hospital.

The father had pleaded guilty to manslaughter and other charges, including aggravated assault and failing to provide the necessaries of life.

The man, who cannot be named, is getting three years of credit for time already served.

Court heard that although the father didn’t physically injure the two-year-old girls, he stood by and watched as they were beaten and deprived of food.

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

Court heard the couple’s four-year-old boy was healthy when police arrested the parents in 2012 and the family’s fridge and kitchen were stocked with food.

The surviving twin and her brother were placed in foster care after their parents were arrested and have since been adopted.

The twin who did not live weighed 13 pounds when she was found by paramedics.

Her parents pursued legal action for several months to keep her on life support, but two Alberta courts agreed that the girl, known as M, should be taken off machines on the evidence of doctors.

Lawyers for the parents applied to the Supreme Court for an emergency stay, but a panel of justices rejected the bid. The girl died soon after.