Foster father to stand trial in infant's slaying

The foster father of a 13-month-old boy who died while in the care of a social services agency has been committed to stand trial for murder, RCMP said Wednesday.

Cameron Ouskan arrived at Gillam Hospital on Nov. 12, 2008, in life-threatening condition. The boy was later airlifted to Thompson General Hospital but died the following day.

Ouskan's foster father, Roderick Blacksmith, 32, was charged with second-degree murder in January 2009.

Following a preliminary hearing, a judge has ruled there is sufficient evidence to commit Blacksmith to trial.

Blacksmith is scheduled to next appear in a Thompson courtroom April 11, to set a trial date.

Gillam, a town of 1,200, is about 1,000 kilometres north of Winnipeg.