Parents convicted in overdose death of toddler released from jail

BRANTFORD — In March 2017, three-year-old Torrence VanEvery died due to a lethal dose of fentanyl and cocaine.

Now his mother and step-father, who were convicted of manslaughter in the child’s death, have been released from prison after serving 40 months.

Madeline Froman, 28, and John Paul Smoke Jr., 30, both of Six Nations served the equivalent of five years. Ontario Superior Court Justice Harrison Arrell said that while it is clear the duo were responsible for the child’s death — keeping the pair in prison will not bring the child back and that releasing the two and directing them to serve probation, counselling, and to seek employment would assist in their futures.

Toxicology reports show the child had 18 times the amount of fentanyl normally prescribed for pain.

Drug charges were not laid in the investigation into the child’s death. This led to questions in the pre-trial hearings examining if the searches of the Mohawk Roadhouse where the pair lived was properly carried out.

The judge said issued a three-year probation order for both Froman and Smoke.

Parents convicted in overdose death of toddler released from jail

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