Evidence revealed at a preliminary hearing has prompted justice officials to increase the charges against a Regina couple accused in the death of a four-year-old girl and the severe neglect of her two-year-old sister.
Kevin and Tammy Goforth were the caregivers for the children in August of 2012 when the four-year-old was rushed to hospital not breathing.
She was pronounced dead, while her younger sister was hospitalized for severe neglect and malnourishment.
In October, the couple was committed to trial on manslaughter and criminal negligence charges.
But Deputy Attorney General Kevin Fenwick says the more appropriate charge was second-degree murder:
“Keeping in mind the direct indictment on the new charges was preferred because of the evidence that came forward at the preliminary inquiry, as well as the other information we had.”
The direct indictment means the couple will go directly to trial without the benefit of another preliminary hearing. It is a procedure that is used only about five times a year in Saskatchewan.
A pre-trial conference in the case is set for January 31.