A witness described as soft spoken, and under the age of 18 is scheduled to testify today (Monday) at the murder trial of a Regina couple accused of killing a 4 year old girl under their care and causing serious harm to her 2 year old sister.
Tammy and Kevin Goforth are charged with second degree murder and causing bodily harm.
They were legal guardians of the girls from November of 2011 until August 1st 2012 when both children were rushed to hospital emaciated, dehydrated and covered in bruises.
During the first week of testimony, several witnesses, repeated the same basic story.
The four year old had no pulse and was not breathing when she was brought to hospital, the two year old was barely conscious.
An emergency room nurse at the Regina general hospital was the last witness of the week.
She described the four year old as, “ skin and bones.” When asked by prosecutors if she had ever seen anything like this in her nursing career, she replied, “ no.”
Connie Garston also testified about meeting with the children’s guardians at the hospital to try to find out what happened.
She says Tammy told her the girl had not been eating or drinking for the last couple of days.
She also told her, there were other children in the home, a 2 year old girl, and a boy about 12.
Garston says, “ we were thinking child abuse” so police and mobile family services were called.
Earlier on Friday , the emergency room pediatrician who tried to save the life of the four year old described his efforts. Dr. Essalah says the child had no heartbeat and was not breathing when she was brought in.
He says heart massage was performed for 15 minutes, she was put on a respirator, and heart medications were administered.
He says her heartbeat was restored but it was too late.
Dr. Essalah says she had been deprived of oxygen for too long and was brain dead.
Two days later she was taken off life support.
Her two year old sister managed to recover.
Security has been beefed up at the trial with a couple of Regina police officers joining deputy sheriffs.
There have been several emotional outbursts, particularly in the hallways of the courthouse between supporters of the mother of the victims and family and friends of the accused.
The trial resumes this morning.
Special audio equipment is being brought in so the jury can hear the soft spoken witness.