Witness at manslaughter trial says accused told her toddler collapsed

A witness testified that she saw Nathaniel McLellan in the arms of the accused just hours before he was rushed to hospital.

After 21 days, the lengthy manslaughter trial looking into the death of 15-month-old Nathaniel McLellan heard from its third witness after the child’s parents collectively spent weeks on the stand testifying.

Emily Hendrikx told the court that she operated Miss Emily’s Preschool in Strathroy and that the accused Meggin Van Hoof sent her daughter to her.

The witness said that on Oct. 27, 2015, and just hours before the toddler was rushed to hospital with a head injury, she saw the child in the arms of the accused as Van Hoof dropped off her child at the preschool.

“Everything appeared to be normal,” she said.

Days later when she spoke with Van Hoof, she said, “Meggin told me he’s in critical condition and that he [Nathaniel] collapsed on her.”

The court has heard that the child would eventually be taken off life support days later.

It would take years for investigators to charge Van Hoof who operated a home daycare in Strathroy. She has pled not guilty to manslaughter.