A Lethbridge woman has been charged with criminal negligence causing death after her 13-year-old son died from an apparent overdose on Christmas Day.
Police say Blanche Isobel Irene Fick, 38, and her son were using drugs together around 5 p.m. on Christmas Day, at a southside residence when the boy overdosed.
A male acquaintance attempted life-saving measures and made a brief 911 call, but when first responders arrived, Fick allegedly hid her son and lied about his whereabouts to avoid apprehension, as he had been previously reported missing.
The mother and son later left the residence and walked to a nearby business. Surveillance footage shows the boy in visible medical distress as they spent the night outside, where he remained motionless on the ground.
Police say no call was ever made for paramedics.
Fick reported finding her son dead on the afternoon of Boxing Day along the 1600 block of Mayor Magrath Drive South.
Toxicology results to confirm his cause of death are still pending.
Fick has been charged with criminal negligence causing death and failing to provide the necessaries of life. She remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.
