Community Outrage Follows Sentencing in the Death of Eight-Year-Old Nina napope Dumais
The Edmonton courtroom was overwhelmed with emotional protests and cries after Ashley Rattlesnake, aged 30, was sentenced for her role in the death of eight-year-old Nina Napope Dumais. the intense reaction underscored the deep sorrow felt by residents across central Alberta.
Sentence Details and Community Backlash
Ashley Rattlesnake received a prison sentence totaling three years and nine months after admitting guilt to manslaughter related to Nina’s death. Initially handed an eight-year term, her sentence was shortened due to credit for time already served and her guilty plea. The presiding judge also referenced actions by the Edmonton Police Service as a factor influencing sentencing leniency.
Rattlesnake’s incarceration outside Alberta ignited anger among family members. Janet Blyan,great-aunt to Nina,voiced her discontent: “Sending someone who took a little girl’s life out of province feels like shielding them from accountability.”
The courtroom overflowed with relatives and supporters wearing shirts bearing Nina’s image alongside calls for justice. Their chants of “no justice no peace” resonated powerfully throughout the space as they absorbed the verdict.
Chronology of Legal Developments before Sentencing
Ashley Rattlesnake initially faced first-degree murder charges that were later reduced to second-degree before she ultimately pled guilty to manslaughter in September 2025. This plea deal met strong opposition from both nina’s family and law enforcement representatives who labeled it a “miscarriage of justice” deserving further scrutiny by provincial authorities.
Nina’s relatives acknowledged police involvement despite its influence on reducing sentencing; Danielle Blyan remarked: “At least someone is standing up on our behalf.”
Indigenous Sentencing Principles and Court Recommendations
The Crown proposed a nine-year sentence informed by Gladue reports-specialized legal documents ensuring courts consider Indigenous offenders’ backgrounds when deciding sentences-while defense attorneys argued for seven years rather. Gladue principles emphasize exploring alternatives beyond imprisonment where suitable for Indigenous defendants involved in criminal cases.
The Tragic Events Unfolding on April 22, 2023
Court records detailed harrowing circumstances surrounding Nina’s last day under Ashley Rattlesnake’s care. At just eight years old, she was the oldest among four children living together; all were fathered by Brandon Dumais who was incarcerated at that time. Except for Nina herself, all siblings shared biological ties with Rattlesnake.
On that afternoon, while consuming alcohol and methamphetamine with another individual inside a bathroom separate from where children stayed or played according to court testimony, neglect unfolded behind closed doors.
Evident Neglect and Abuse Behind closed Doors
- Nina was discovered unresponsive beside damage within their home-a hole punched through drywall-with visible head swelling and bleeding from her mouth requiring urgent medical attention which never arrived;
- No emergency services were contacted despite these critical injuries;
- Rather of seeking help, calls were made requesting advice on how best to dispose of evidence connected directly or indirectly;
- CCTV footage showed people arriving carrying an empty hockey bag later seen leaving containing what would be identified as Nina’s body;
- This bag was found days later near Maskwacis area confirming suspicions raised earlier through surveillance analysis;
- Siblings revealed ongoing abuse targeted exclusively at Nina while other children remained physically unharmed;
- This selective maltreatment suggested purposeful intent rather than accidental harm according to testimonies presented post-trial;
- No immediate intervention occurred until concerns were reported by someone familiar leading police investigations into this tragedy’s circumstances.
Medical Examiner Reveals Long-Term Abuse Impacting Health
An autopsy uncovered multiple injuries accumulated over several months consistent with chronic child abuse combined with sepsis likely triggered by untreated dental trauma-specifically an infected broken tooth spreading infection systemically throughout young Nina’s body prior fatal blunt force trauma inflicted shortly before death occurred.
The examiner concluded that without previous neglect weakening her health beforehand she might have survived this final injury if timely medical care had been provided but none arrived due negligence or intentional withholding thereof by caretaker Ashley Rattlesnake whose actions directly contributed toward fatal outcome per official findings documented legally during trial proceedings.
A demand For Justice amid Complex social And Legal Issues
“She knew exactly what she was doing because if it had been mere carelessness others would have suffered to,” reflected janet Blyan regarding selective abuse aimed solely at young Nina while siblings sharing same environment remained unharmed.
– Family member after sentencing hearing
