More delays, legal arguments at trial of babysitter charged in toddler’s death

The trial of Meggin Van Hoof, accused in the death of toddler Nathaniel McLellan while he was at her home daycare, resumed Friday.

The manslaughter trial of Meggin Van Hoof, 46, started with delays in September and there continues to be more legal arguments this week.

After being adjourned in October the trial was supposed to resume on Monday and then again Friday with testimony.

However much of the day was tied up with both sides arguing over an abuse of process application brought forward by the defence earlier this week.

Defence lawyer Geoff Snow claims the Crown changed its theory in the case and has hampered efforts for the defence team to obtain a witness list saying, “It’s done to interfere with the defence efforts to prepare.”

Crown Attorney David Tice from Toronto is expected to reply to the claims on Monday.

Fifteen-month-old Nathaniel McLellan died in October 2015 after being at the home daycare operated by Van Hoof in Strathroy.

The accused has pled not guilty to one count of manslaughter.

The only witness to give evidence so far has been the toddler’s mother, Rose-Anne Van De Wiele, who was on the stand with emotional testimony for eight days. She spoke about picking up her child’s lifeless body after being called by Van Hoof.

The trial was originally slated to last four weeks; however five more weeks have been added to the proceedings.