A judge reserved a sentencing decision Wednesday afternoon for the death of two-year-old Gage Guimond in 2007.
Last November, Gage's great aunt, Shirley Guimond, pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to provide the necessities of life.
In July 2007, Gage died after falling down a flight of stairs at a home on Magnus Avenue. Gage was placed through Child and Family Services in the care of his great aunt at the time.
The defence came down hard on CFS at the hearing Wednesday.
"Why in the world is Shirley Guimond sitting alone in this box when in my view the system, CFS, has a greater sense of responsibility than Mrs. Guimond," said Saul Simmonds, defence lawyer.
Simmonds said CFS took Gage out of care from another foster family to place the boy with Shirley.
Gage's family agreed in part with some of the criticisms of CFS but said Shirley Guimond is ultimately responsible for the boy's death.
"She could have said no to CFS," said Natasha Guimond, Gage's biological mother.
Shirley offered a statement in court Wednesday.
"I'm sorry for (what) happened. I have to live with this for the rest of my life. I wish it never happened at all. That's all I have to say," said Shirley.
Victim impact statements were read out in court Wednesday from Gage's biological mother and former foster parents.
"I loved him as if he was my own. Now he is gone," said Gage's former foster father.
The maximum sentence in the case is five years. The Crown is asking for two years, less a day. The defence wants it served in the community. A new sentencing date has not yet been set.
