Penny Boudreau, the Nova Scotia woman convicted of the second-degree murder of her 12-year-old daughter, Karissa Boudreau, in 2008, has been granted day parole. The decision was announced by the Parole Board of Canada in December 2025.
A Chilling Crime in Bridgewater
The case, which horrified the province, dates back to January 2008. Karissa Boudreau was reported missing from Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. Her body was discovered weeks later near the LaHave River. The investigation into her death led to a shocking conclusion: her mother, Penny Boudreau, was responsible.
In a dramatic court appearance on January 30, 2009, Boudreau pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. She was subsequently sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 15 years. The guilty plea brought a formal end to a case that had captivated and saddened communities across Nova Scotia and Canada.
The Path to Day Parole
The recent parole board decision marks a significant step in Boudreau's incarceration. Day parole allows an offender to participate in community-based activities, such as working or attending programs, but requires them to return to a correctional facility or halfway house each night. It is often seen as a preparatory stage for full parole or statutory release.
The board's decision would have been based on a thorough assessment of factors including Boudreau's conduct in prison, her participation in rehabilitation programs, her level of insight into the crime, and the potential risk to public safety. The ruling indicates the board found her manageable under specific, supervised conditions in the community.
Lasting Impact and Legal Process
The murder of Karissa Boudreau remains one of Nova Scotia's most tragic criminal cases. It highlighted issues of family violence and child welfare, leaving a lasting scar on the Bridgewater community. While the parole decision represents a procedural step in the Canadian justice system, it does not equate to freedom.
Boudreau remains under a life sentence. Day parole is a closely monitored privilege that can be revoked at any time if conditions are breached. Her eligibility for full parole will be determined at a future date, continuing the long-term oversight mandated by her conviction for one of the most serious crimes in the Canadian legal system.
