City mom pleads guilty to sexually assaulting son

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on May 29, 2024.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A Lethbridge mother who sexually assaulted her young son multiple times, and took pictures of the assaults, will likely be sentenced later this year.

The 34-year-old mother, who can’t be identified to protect the identity of the child, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Taber court of justice to one count of sexual assault. Sentencing was adjourned, however, to allow time for a psychologist to conduct a forensic assessment on the woman’s mental health.

Reading from an agreed statement of facts, Special Prosecutor Carolyn Ayre told court the woman was in a relationship with a man sometime between Jan. 1, 2019 and Dec 31, 2020, during which she provided him with photos of her assaulting her son.

Police came across the photos while searching the man’s residence in Taber for evidence of child pornography. They seized a number of electronic devices, which were examined and found to contain a “large quantity” of child pornography, most of which was unrelated to the woman.

Forensic examiners discovered, however, 10 images and one video that led police to investigate the mother. The video shows the naked woman in the man’s residence using a vibrating “sex tool” on herself, while her son, who is clothed, lay nearby watching TV.

Some photographs show the boy naked, while in others he is wearing only underwear. In other photos his mother’s hand is on his genitals, although over his underwear.

“The resulting investigation into the accused led to her being arrested and charged,” Ayre told court.

While the man and woman were in a relationship, the man repeatedly asked her for sexual images of her son, and she often complied.

“The contact was of a sexual nature and violated (his) sexual integrity,” Ayre said.

She said there were also multiple occasions when the woman saw her boyfriend sexually assault the boy, and on one occasion she briefly did, as well, then threw up in the bathroom.

When the woman was arrested, she confessed everything to the police.

The man, who also cannot be identified, is charged with sexual assault, making child pornography, accessing child pornography, and possessing child pornography. He is expected to resolve his charges, as well, when he returns to Taber court in August. In addition to sexual assault, the mother was also charged with sexual interference, making child pornography, distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. Those charges may be withdrawn at the conclusion of her sentencing.

Her case is set to return to court on Aug. 6 to check on the progress of the forensic assessment and subsequent report. If it’s completed, the matter will be adjourned again for the sentencing hearing.