OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that a British Columbia woman must be acquitted in the drowning death of a toddler. This decision comes after her conviction was overturned two years ago. Tammy Bouvette was initially charged with second-degree murder but later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of criminal negligence. This charge stemmed from the bathtub drowning of a 19-month-old girl she was babysitting in Cranbrook in 2011.

In April 2023, the British Columbia Court of Appeal found that the Crown had failed to disclose crucial evidence to Bouvette’s legal team. This lack of disclosure deprived her of the chance to make an informed decision regarding her plea. The Court of Appeal described the original conviction as "the product of a miscarriage of justice." They noted that the circumstances indicated a reasonable possibility that Bouvette would not have pleaded guilty to criminal negligence if all evidence had been presented.

As a result, the Appeal Court issued a judicial stay of proceedings, effectively halting the case permanently without determining Bouvette's guilt or innocence. Following this, Bouvette sought an acquittal from the Supreme Court, which would formally declare her not guilty of the charges against her.

The Supreme Court's decision marks a significant conclusion to a lengthy legal battle for Bouvette, who has maintained her innocence throughout the process.