The lawyer representing the father of a six-year-old girl who died in Duncan five years ago has described her death as a “systemic failing of epic proportions.” Sarah Runyon, who is defending Peter Joe, made the statement during closing arguments in the manslaughter trial for Joe and the girl’s mother, Vanessa Daniels.
Charges and Crown’s Argument
Peter Joe and Vanessa Daniels are both charged with manslaughter in the death of their daughter, Diana Daniels, on April 9, 2021. The cause of death was a blood clot related to malnutrition. The Crown argues that the parents should be found guilty of manslaughter by criminal negligence because they failed to seek medical attention for Diana. For a conviction, the Crown must prove that failing to seek medical help was a marked and substantial departure from what a reasonably prudent parent would have done.
Defence’s Closing Submissions
In her closing arguments on Friday, Runyon told the court that it is not possible to determine what a reasonably prudent person would have done because the progression of Diana’s symptoms cannot be known beyond a reasonable doubt. At times, the girl had trouble walking and swelling in a leg, but Runyon said it is unclear when her condition “fell off a cliff,” possibly on the day she died. Joe called 911 that evening after finding his daughter unresponsive, but she could not be resuscitated.
Evidence of Neglect
Police, paramedics, and a doctor who saw Diana on the night of her death testified that she appeared extremely ill. One officer said she looked like an end-stage cancer patient. The girl had lost hair on her head, had skin lesions, and a pressure sore on her back that exposed bone. Crown prosecutor Paul Battin said both parents knew Diana was unhealthy at least a month before her death, noting that she did not get out of bed on her sixth birthday despite a surprise visit from her mother, who had been hospitalized in Victoria. Evidence showed Diana was in steady decline, complaining of leg pain, screaming when picked up, and needing to be pushed in a stroller.
Living Conditions and Systemic Failures
At the time of her death, Diana lived with her parents, toddler brother, and premature newborn sister in a one-bedroom motel suite. Daniels had experienced pregnancy complications and spent several weeks in hospital in Victoria, returning to Duncan about a week before Diana died. In April 2021, Cowichan Tribes imposed a lockdown and shelter-in-place order on its reserve. Runyon noted that despite the nation’s child protection agency determining that Joe and Daniels required substantial monitoring of their parenting, they had minimal contact with a rotating roster of social workers due to the lockdown.
Systemic Failures Highlighted
Runyon emphasized that the death represents a “systemic failing of epic proportions,” pointing to the lack of adequate support and oversight from child protection services. The trial continues as the court weighs the evidence and arguments from both sides.
