The Supreme Court of Canada acquits Tammy Bouvette, citing prosecutorial failures and no evidence for retrial in a decade-old toddler drowning case.
Supreme Court Orders Full Acquittal in Long-Running Case
In a unanimous ruling released Friday, the Supreme Court of Canada acquitted Tammy Marion Bouvette in the 2011 drowning death of 19-month-old Iyanna Teeple. The toddler was found unresponsive in a bathtub in Cranbrook, British Columbia, while under Bouvette’s care. The decision ends more than a decade of legal proceedings marred by prosecutorial disclosure failures and questions of fairness.
Original Conviction Traced to Withheld Evidence
Bouvette initially faced a second-degree murder charge but pleaded guilty to criminal negligence in a bid to avoid a longer sentence. However, an independent review and a 2023 B.C. Court of Appeal decision later revealed that key pathology evidence had not been shared with her defense—evidence that could have cast doubt on her culpability.
Public Spotlight and Journalistic Investigation
The case gained renewed attention after CBC’s The Fifth Estate published an investigation in 2020 uncovering a critical pathology report that undermined the Crown’s claims. Bouvette consistently maintained her innocence and said she accepted the plea deal out of fear of facing a harsher punishment if convicted at trial.
Legal Missteps Deemed a Miscarriage of Justice
The B.C. The Court of Appeal stayed the proceedings last year, citing the Crown’s failure to disclose significant evidence. Though the court did not initially grant a full acquittal, Bouvette appealed. The Supreme Court noted that retrying the case would be an “abuse of process,” especially as the Crown had conceded it would present no evidence at a new trial.
Crown and Victim’s Family Support Acquittal
In a rare convergence, both the Crown and the victim’s family supported Bouvette’s acquittal. The Court emphasized that continuing the case served no public interest, particularly given the absence of admissible evidence and the harm already endured by Bouvette, who completed her sentence years ago.
Closure After Years of Public Scrutiny
Following the verdict, Bouvette expressed relief, saying, “The truth is out… there’s closure now.” She hopes the ruling will allow her and her family to move forward after years of public judgment and personal hardship.
The Supreme Court’s decision marks a definitive end to a controversial case that raised significant concerns about prosecutorial conduct and the risks of rushed plea bargains. Legal experts say it could serve as a precedent in future appeals where disclosure failures impact the integrity of guilty pleas.
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