A Quebec court has ruled that a 34-year-old woman from LaSalle, who abandoned her three-year-old daughter in June, is not criminally responsible for her actions. Judge Bernard St-Arnaud made this determination during a hearing at the Valleyfield courthouse on Monday.

The judge reviewed evidence, including a psychiatric report from the Philippe-Pinel Institute, which indicated that the woman was suffering from a mental illness at the time of the incident. The report concluded that she was unable to distinguish right from wrong on June 15.

Following the ruling, the court began to hear evidence regarding the woman's potential release or continued detention at a mental health facility. The defense is advocating for her to be allowed unescorted leaves, while the Crown opposes this option.

The woman's father testified on her behalf, stating that she has struggled with mental illness for some time. He mentioned that she was initially diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which later evolved into a condition resembling mini-schizophrenia. He expressed confidence that her mental health could be managed outside of a hospital, provided she adheres to her medication regimen.

The father also revealed that his daughter had been engaging with the artificial intelligence application ChatGPT. "I don’t know much about it. It’s almost like talking to a person," he said. He noted concerns about the potential negative impact of such interactions on individuals with mental health issues, stating, "From what I have heard it can be very debilitating."

Earlier in the hearing, Judge St-Arnaud criticized the provincial corrections system for delays in the trial process. He questioned why the accused was brought late to court, despite favorable weather conditions. "It’s not like there is a snowstorm," he remarked, highlighting the regularity of such delays in Valleyfield.

During the proceedings, prosecutor Lili Prévost-Gravel detailed the circumstances surrounding the abandonment. She stated that when the Ontario Provincial Police found the girl after a three-day search, she had minor injuries, insect bites, and was wearing soiled clothing. The girl was discovered in a field near a highway, which posed significant dangers. Prévost-Gravel described the environment as "a hostile place for a child."

After being located, the girl was taken to a hospital and later placed in her father's care. However, he is currently unable to work due to the need to care for her. The mother appeared in court wearing a black sweatshirt and looked fatigued. The Crown recommended that she be declared not criminally responsible for her actions.