Father of dead toddler points finger at the accused in manslaughter case

The father of a toddler who died after attending a home daycare pointed his finger at the accused during his second week on the stand. Nick Paparella reports.

It’s the second week that Kent McLellan has spent on the stand testifying about the circumstances surrounding the death of his 15-month-old son Nathaniel.

After being rushed to hospital with a head injury in October of 2015, the father said he was looking for answers, “I just wanted my son to survive. I prayed for my little boy. I wanted the police involved to find out what happened.”

Days later, the young boy would be taken off of life support.

Under cross-examination from defence lawyer Geoff Snow, McLellan said over time, he wanted police to look closer at the babysitter, Meggin Van Hoof.

The court has heard that on the day in question, the toddler had been at her home daycare in Strathroy.

He said, “I just knew that something had happened with Meggin.”

He said he thought it was intentional, “Something happened with Meggin Van Hoof for my son to be killed.”

He continued, “I don’t think she threw him down the stairs ... I had a thought of Meggin Van Hoof hurting Nathan.”

Police would investigate the incident for years before eventually charging the 46-year-old Van Hoof with manslaughter.

She has pleaded not guilty.

Later, McLellan testified that he always tried to keep the police investigation active, “I wanted justice for my son. I wanted charges.”

He added, “The worst would be not knowing what happened to my little boy.”

The lengthy trial resumes on Tuesday.