The families of the little Jacob and Maëva delivered poignant testimonies in front of the bus driver on Thursday for the first time which upset their lives by rushing into a Laval daycare.
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“I want to live with my family forever,” wanted the little Maëva by blowing the candle on her cake during her fifth birthday in February 2023.
A few days later, his life and that of the little Jacob Gauthier were mowed when a bus driver stamped the Ste-Rose educational daycare in Laval. Several other children had been injured, some seriously.
Pierre Ny St-Amand was recognized not on Tuesday. Sitting in the accused box Thursday, he remained impassive before the Crève-Coeur testimonies of the families of the victims.
“The monsters exist, we know it and we feel it now,” said Nicolas, Maëva’s father.
Pierre Ny St-Amand (in mortise) was driving a bus when he rushed to a Laval daycare in February 2023. Courtesy photos and QMI agency
In heartbreaking letters read at the court, the victim’s sister has today described “broken and very angry”. His brother now lives “as in a scary film”.
Listening to these overwhelming testimonies, sobs mingled with the noises of the many handkerchiefs in the crowded courtroom. Even the defense lawyer could not hold back his tears.
Jessica, the mother of little Maëva, did not wish to make an official declaration, because she “does not feel listened to”.
The aunt of Maëva, Lysanne, and her grandfather, Michel, at the Palais de Justice de Laval, May 1. Photo Pierre-Paul Poulin
She still said herself deeply troubled “to know that a person with such a troubled past who has a weapon of mass destruction in her hands can have such a critical position without a rigorous psychiatric assessment has been required to hire her”.
• Also listen to this Balado episode taken from Richard Martineau’s program, broadcast on QUB platforms and simultaneously on the 99.5 FM Montreal:
Little Jacob Gauthier’s mother can never accept the death of her son.
“It is impossible that it is no longer there and I only have four years of memories,” testified in videoconference Marie-Christine Cloutier.
One of the friends of the 4 -year -old victim, who witnessed the horror scene, still asks today if Jacob will come back.
-“I look at the stars and I wish from my heart to my heart to have the chance to see him again,” said little Sam through her mother’s voice, Annie Carrière.
Annie Carrière and Mike Haddad, at the Laval courthouse on May 1. Photo Pierre-Paul Poulin
Serious repercussions
Since the drama, the victims must live with nightmares, anxiety, and even a post-traumatic syndrome.
Several are now fearful at the sight of a bus. Some have even moved to no longer meet the one who performs the sinister journey 151 of the Laval transport company.
Children live with black ideas, even questioning death. Parents have become hypervigilant and are now overprising their young.
This is why judge Eric Downs recommended that Quebec authorities provide victims with psychological support and adequate treatments.
“It gives a touch of hope. […] Our children need help, they may need it later, and we hope that the resources are there, “said when he left the courtroom Mélanie Goulet, the mother of an injured child.
Mélanie Goulet, the mother of a child injured by a bus that rushed into a Laval daycare. Photo Pierre-Paul Poulin
Ny St-Amand wanted to briefly apologize to the families of the victims.
“I have no words to describe this drama, but I am immensely sorry. I would give everything to go back, “he said, he who testified for the first time in the courtroom.
A debate will then take place, namely whether Pierre Ny St-Amand can be appointed accused at high risk, which would considerably limit his chances of being able to leave the National Institute of Legal Psychiatry Philippe-Pinel, where he is currently staying.
What they said
“When we lose one of our three children, our loss is not divided into three. That day, I lost the infinite. ” –Nicolas, father of Maëva
“Children are a wealth and no one has the right, regardless of circumstances, take life.” –France Dulac, grandmother of Jacob Gauthier
“Sounds, the cries of terror haunt me whenever I hear a child’s cry. The rage never leaves me. Guilt haunts me every second. ” –Sandy Dickie, educator at the Ste-Rose educational day
“What about his responsibility towards us?” What about the impact on the children who saw their classmates die and whose families have remained in emergency rooms, funeral salons and therapeutic clinics trying to prevent their lives from collapsing? ” –The mother of an injured child
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