Edmonton Woman Sentenced to Eight Years for Manslaughter of Eight-Year-Old Girl
An Edmonton woman has been sentenced to eight years in prison for the manslaughter of eight-year-old Nina Napope Dumais, whose body was discovered concealed in a hockey bag. The courtroom erupted with angry outbursts from family members as Justice Jody Fraser delivered the decision to the convicted individual, Ashley Rattlesnake.
Sentencing Details and Family Reaction
Justice Fraser announced that more than four years of the sentence would be credited for time already served in custody, leaving Rattlesnake with less than four years remaining to serve. This calculation sparked immediate and vocal protests from Nina's family members present in the courtroom, highlighting the emotional weight of the proceedings.
Case Background and Initial Charges
Ashley Rattlesnake was originally charged with murder after Nina's body was found in a hockey bag in the back of a truck south of Edmonton, specifically on Samson Cree Nation at Maskwacis. Two additional men faced charges of accessory to murder and indignity to a body in connection with the case. Rattlesnake ultimately pleaded guilty to manslaughter in September, with prosecutors noting the exact cause of the fatal injury remained unclear.
Events Leading to the Tragic Death
The incident occurred at Rattlesnake's Edmonton residence while she was present with a friend who had come over to consume alcohol and methamphetamine. According to court proceedings, the two adults were in the bathroom when Rattlesnake briefly stepped away. Upon her return, she called for help, and the friend discovered the young girl unconscious and bleeding on the floor near a hole in the wall.
Medical Examination Reveals Disturbing Findings
A medical examination of Nina uncovered evidence of chronic abuse, including previously healed bone fractures. The doctor also reported that the child was suffering from sepsis due to a broken tooth, which significantly diminished her chances of surviving the fresh head injury she sustained. These findings painted a troubling picture of the child's circumstances prior to her death.
Judicial Commentary and Police Involvement
Justice Fraser cited Rattlesnake's guilty plea as a mitigating factor in the sentencing decision. Additionally, he criticized the Edmonton Police Service during his ruling, stating that police actions during the case proceedings crossed important boundaries meant to separate law enforcement from the Crown in the judicial system.
In September, the EPS had publicly protested what they believed would be a plea agreement between the Crown and defense, resulting in an eight-year manslaughter sentence instead of the original murder charge. The police service sent a letter to the Alberta justice minister and media outlets, threatening to release investigation details to the public if the deal proceeded.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The two men accused of assisting Rattlesnake in handling Nina's body are scheduled to have court dates in December and February. Their cases remain pending as the legal process continues to unfold.
This case has drawn significant attention to issues of child welfare, judicial sentencing practices, and the relationship between law enforcement and the justice system in Alberta.
