‘She was our baby’: Aunt of toddler killed in Manitoba community speaks out

Michelle Gerwing reports on the tragic homicide of a two-year-old girl in Bloodvein First Nation.

The aunt of a toddler killed in a Manitoba community said her niece was a happy, smart girl who was loved dearly.

“We raised her like she was our own. She was our baby. We loved her and we cared for her so much,” Roberta Goosehead told reporters on Thursday.

Days earlier, she learned her niece Jessiah Young had died.

She said she did not yet have any details about what happened to her niece.

“We do not know and at this time, I do not have information. I just know as much as all of you.”

Bloodvein RCMP say the death was reported on Jan. 24 after a female child under the age of three was brought to the nursing stations with serious injuries.

Officers arrived on scene and were told the child had died.

The next day, the major crimes unit and forensic identification service searched the home where the child was living.

Autopsy results on Monday confirmed the girl died from injuries as a result of a homicide, police say.

Sgt. Laura LeDrew, lead investigator with the RCMP major crimes services, said the Bloodvein First Nation community is hurting right now.

“She was a lovely, adorable, cute, sweet little girl. She loved to dance. I watched videos of her dancing,” she said.

“It’s hard to watch that and then to see the state that she ended up in is horrifically sad. It’s very difficult.”

Grandmother charged with second-degree murder: RCMP

Goosehead said the Jessiah’s own parents were unable to care for her, so she took her into her home. She said she faced childcare challenges and in October, Jessiah began living with her grandmother.

“I thought she would be safe there,” Goosehead said.

Manitoba RCMP said Burma Skye, 56, from Bloodvein First Nation was charged with second-degree murder in relation to the death. Police say the accused was Jessiah’s grandmother and her primary caregiver. Jessiah was not in the care of Child and Family Services, Mounties confirmed.

Skye was remanded into custody. The charge has not been proven in court.

Bloodvein First Nation Chief Lisa Young said Jessiah’s death is deeply felt by the community.

“We are saddened by this tragic loss, and we’re here to be as supportive as possible for the family.”

-with files from CTV’s Michelle Gerwing