The accused, a mother and her boyfriend, were charged with criminal negligence causing death and failing to provide the necessaries of life after the mother's 20-month-old child died from severe scald burns.
The child was accidentally burned by hot coffee, suffering third-degree burns to 25 percent of his body.
Neither accused sought medical attention for the child over the three days leading to his death, despite the obvious severity of the injuries.
The mother claimed she delegated care to her boyfriend and was unaware of the child's deteriorating condition, while the boyfriend argued he had no legal duty of care as he was not the child's parent.
The court rejected both defences, finding the mother's testimony implausible and establishing that the boyfriend acted as a guardian with a legal duty of care.
Both accused were found guilty on all counts, as their failure to seek medical treatment constituted a marked and substantial departure from the standard of a reasonably prudent parent or guardian.
