Manitoba judge asks why no one noticed lengthy abuse before child’s death
WINNIPEG — A Manitoba judge had harsh words Wednesday as he asked why no one stepped in to prevent the lengthy neglect and abuse that left a 21-month-old girl malnourished, suffering from untreated injuries and finally dead from a beating by her mother.
“The flags were there that this child was in danger,” Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Chris Martin said as he sentenced Vanessa Lynn Bushie to life in prison with no chance of parole for 14 years.
Martin referred to the expression that it takes a village to raise a child.
“I’m left looking at this situation … and say to myself, ‘Where the hell was this village?’”