Tsuut'ina mother Livia Starlight killed toddler while under investigation for child abuse

A mother from theTsuut'inaNation on Calgary's southwest corner who was under investigation for child abuse at the time her two-year-old died has admitted to killing thetoddler because she was frustrated by his whining.

LiviaStarlight, 30,pleadedguilty to manslaughter before Court of Queen's Bench Justice William Tilleman in Calgary on Monday. Shewas originally charged withsecond-degreemurder.

Her two-year-old son, TraezlinDenzelStarlight, was admitted to hospital with serious injuries onSept.18, 2014, and died a week later.Starlight was arrested in July2015.

In the toddler's short life, he suffered injuries four separate times that led to police investigations, including one that was ongoing at the time of his death after his mother took him to hospital with a black eye and a head injury.

"This is such a sad case," said Tilleman.

Texted for help after fatal blows

As her son lay dying in a hospital room, Starlight gave a voluntary statement topolice, telling investigators she beat Traezlinthe day before because he waswhining.

Starlight admitted to hittingTraezlinin the head, pushing him while he was taking off his shoes and throwinghim into a sofa.

After finding the toddler in medical distress, Starlighttextedher mother, asking for help.

"Can u call ambulance 4 me my baby is not breathing I'm scared," Starlight wrote.

Died of blunt force injuries

Medical staff at the children's hospital determinedTraezlinwas suffering fromtwo brain injuries that had been inflicted at different times, according to an agreed statement of facts read aloud in court on Monday.

An autopsy report found the boy died of multiple blunt force injuries.

The boy was seized from Starlight as an infant and lived with a foster family for about a year because of drug and alcohol concerns.

Before his death, Traezlin had been admitted to the Alberta Children's Hospital twice in June and August of2014where staff noticed suspicious injuries and police launched two investigations.

Social services returned boy to mother

In June 2014, Traezlin was in foster care but Starlight had access to him for visits through a Parent Guardianship Order.

On the last day of a two-night visit, Starlight took the boy to the hospital. Staff at the children's hospital noticed suspicious bruising on Traezlinon June 1, 2014.

It was unclear whether the injuries had been inflicted by Traezlin's foster parents or Starlight, so he was left in his mother's care while police investigated.

She was uncooperative throughout the investigation and refused to provide a statement to police. The result of the police investigation was inconclusive.

Investigation was ongoing at time of death

Traezlin continued to live with his mother, who was being supervised by Tsuut'inaChild and Family Services, until his death in September 2014.

In August 2014,Starlight took the child to the hospital again, this time with a head injury. She told authorities Traezlinhad fallen out of his car seat and landed on his head. He had a black eye, bruises on his ear and head, and swelling of his brain.

The investigation was ongoing at the time of Traezlin's death.

Several members of Starlight's family were in court for the guilty plea Monday morning. As the facts of Traezlin's death were read aloud, Starlight cried in the prisoner's box.

Crown prosecutorPhotini Papadatou and defence lawyer Alain Hepner negotiated the plea deal for Starlight, who was originally charged with second-degree murder.

Pre-sentence reports have been ordered and Starlight will be sentenced later this year.

• MORE COURT NEWS |Douglas Garland triple-murder trial jurors to see images Crown says are bodies on suspect's farm
• MORE CRIME NEWS |Arrest made in 2015 Blood Reserve homicide