‘I failed my son’: Calgary couple who killed toddler sentenced to 6 years in prison

Family members of 18-month-old Gabriel Sinclair-Pasqua, who was killed in October 2021, hold photos of the boy at a court hearing for the boy's mother, Sonya Pasqua, on March 8, 2023. (CTV News)

A Calgary couple gave tearful apologies before getting sentenced to six years prison for the death of their toddler.

Sonya Pasqua and Michael Sinclair pleaded guilty to manslaughter in December.

Gabriel Sinclair-Pasqua had head injuries, major burns to a third of his body and the 20 month-old was emaciated at the time of his death on Oct. 5, 2021.

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“He suffered severe pain and his parents chose not to provide medical attention to alleviate his pain and ultimately save his life,” said Justice Glen Poelman.

The Crown had recommended an eight-year sentence while defence lawyers recommended three to five years.

Seven members of Gabriel’s family and friends sat in court wearing orange sweaters covered with photos of the little boy.

Two of those family members, Alice Finley and Gerry Bakoway, were Gabriel’s guardians for much of his life.

“The sentence doesn’t matter much. Nothing will bring Gabriel back,” said Bakoway, who is Gabriel’s great-uncle.

Court heard that shortly after being born on March 31, 2020, Gabriel went to a loving home in Taber where he was cared for.

“The 17 (and a half) months with Gabriel was incredible,” said Bakoway. “He was a very special boy with a good sense of humour. He was smart and he just made us so happy.”

He had to be returned to his biological parents and, soon after, suffered fatal abuse.

Prior to the judge’s decision, Pasqua and Sinclair sat in the prisoner’s box wiping tears and looking down before they each addressed the courtroom.

Sinclair spoke first.

“I am sorry for everybody that was involved in this tragedy,” he said.

“I’m sorry to Gerry and Alice. I knew he was like a son to you.

“I have lost everything.”

Pasqua read a statement while shaking and crying.

“I failed him. I failed my son,” she said.

“I failed everyone who loves him, too. I’m so sorry.”

She said losing Gabriel was traumatizing and she wanted to give up living.

“I have to live with this every day.”

Poelman said the remarks seemed genuine.

“They expressed anguish over a sense of responsibility for their son and having lost him,” the justice said.

Sinclair said, “I loved my son unconditionally. To this day, I don’t know why I didn’t have the courage to call an ambulance.”

Prosecutor Vicki Faulkner had argued what the couple did was at the highest end of moral culpability.

Text messages between Pasqua and Sinclair in the days before their son’s death discussed needing him to heal before they send him away because “we still need him as a paycheque.”

Gabriel died from blunt force head trauma, with a resulting brain injury, and from untreated major burns leading to sepsis, according to an agreed statement of facts.

The burns were caused by hot liquid left pooling in his diaper.

Gabriel had several other injuries and was dehydrated and emaciated, with a severe infection in his mouth.

An agreed statement of facts said his parents didn’t seek medical attention and tried to treat the burns with honey, a medical remedy they found online, before Gabriel died from an infection and head trauma.

The justice said there are unknowns about exactly what caused the injuries leading up to Gabriel’s death.

“The exact nature, only his parents could tell us, and they have not,” said Poelman.

The justice said both parents were involved in abuse and infliction of injuries either by harming Gabriel themselves or not stopping the other one.

He said their actions resulted in more than a week of suffering even though family and social workers tried to visit.

“To stand by when help was readily available was abhorrent,” said Poelman.

“Gabriel’s life probably would have been saved.”

Pasqua and Sinclair both have Indigenous backgrounds and Gladue reports were submitted outlining childhood abuse and substance use.

“I wish you both comfort, consolation and recovery,” said Poelman.

With credit for time served, Pasqua has about four and half years and Sinclair has about two and a half years left to serve.

Rather than focusing on anger, Gabriel’s loved ones want the boy’s short life to make a difference for other children.

“It’s easy to hate,” Bakoway said. “It’s easy to want revenge. We would rather spend our energy on helping other kids for getting a new system in place working with the government and social services.

They hope Gabriel’s story sparks changes and called for a meeting with the province and child and family services.

“So (Gabriel) doesn’t go away in vain,” he added. “Let’s set up a meeting and let’s get this straightened out, because it’s a mess and children are dying every day in Alberta.”

With files from The Canadian Press