Multiple shoplifting charges earn jail time

By Delon Shurtz on November 11, 2021.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

While shoplifting offences don’t normally attract a jail sentence, Nikki Eagle Child was not so lucky after she racked up nearly a dozen charges over the past three years.
Eagle Child pleaded guilty Wednesday in Lethbridge provincial court to numerous charges for shoplifting between 2019 and 2021.
Court was told that in December of 2019 Eagle Child stole a $40 bottle of vodka from the Liquor Depot in Lethbridge. Then, over the course of the next several months, she stole a jacket, mens’ joggers, a hoodie and mens’ jeans from Old Navy. She was also charged with failing to comply with release orders after she returned to Old Navy despite an earlier court order prohibiting her from going to the store.
Eagle Child stole candy from a 7-Eleven convenience store, and personal items and electronics from the Real Canadian Super Store. When she was approached outside the store by a loss prevention officer, she dropped the items and fled. She also dropped her backpack, which is how she was identified.
Eagle Child stole food and lighters from a Safeway store, and on another occasion stole two bottles of vodka worth $100 from Safeway Liquor. She also got into trouble when she and several other people were caught in a stolen vehicle. She admitted she stole a hoodie from Old Navy, and she was caught with shoes, a sweater, a JBL speaker and a backpack that had been stolen from Walmart.
During one of her thefts from Old Navy a year ago, Eagle Child set off an alarm as she left the store. She was seen by video surveillance putting items in her purse, which were not identified or recovered. She also set off the alarm on Oct. 13 of this year and was caught with a pair of jeans. Police determined she was in breach of a court order.
The 25-year-old woman, who has a criminal record with property related convictions, was sentenced to a total of 50 days in jail, but given credit for the equivalent of 24 days, leaving her with 26 days to serve. She will also be on probation for one year after she is released, during which she must take counselling and treatment as directed and for psychological and psychiatric issues.
Lethbridge lawyer Claudia Connolly explained Eagle Child, who has been living on the street, suffers from fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Connolly said her client is willing to take counselling, although its effectiveness will be limited given her condition.
“It’s a difficult situation all the way around, but she seems to have a good attitude and wants to make the best of it,” Connolly said.

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