Charlottetown Woman Pleads Guilty to Infanticide in Death of Three-Month-Old Daughter
CHARLOTTETOWN – A Prince Edward island woman has pleaded guilty to infanticide in connection with the death of her three-month-old daughter, Winter Elizabeth Rose Acorn. Cassie Acorn entered the plea Monday in provincial court, resulting in the withdrawal of a previous first-degree murder charge. The case highlights the complex intersection of postpartum mental health and the Canadian legal system, and underscores the specific legal definition of infanticide within the Criminal Code.
Acorn was initially charged with first-degree murder in April following an inquiry that began when the IWK Health Center in Halifax alerted Charlottetown police to an infant admitted with a fractured skull. Winter died three days later. AcornS lawyer stated her client was suffering from depression and postpartum depression at the time of the death, contributing to the plea to the lesser charge. Under Canadian law,infanticide applies when a female causes the death of her newborn through willful act or omission while experiencing a disturbance of mind linked to recent childbirth or lactation.
The details surrounding Winter’s death in March have not yet been released and will be presented at Acorn’s sentencing hearing in early January. Acorn’s legal counsel indicated they will not be requesting a pre-sentence report,but emphasized a comprehensive evaluation exists for Judge Jeff Lantz to consider during sentencing. The maximum penalty for infanticide in Canada is five years imprisonment.
