Charge upgraded for Calgary mother accused in death of disabled daughter

Police were called to the home on Woodridge Close S.W. for reports of a woman in medical distress at about 3:00 a.m. on April 26, 2016.

A Calgary mother charged with failing to provide the necessaries of life for her daughter is now facing a more serious charge.

Patricia Couture was charged with failing to provide the necessaries of life after her 38-year old daughter Melissa was found dead in their home on Woodridge Close S.W. in April of this year.

Couture called 911 but Melissa was found unresponsive when crews arrived and was later pronounced dead.

Melissa had a developmental disability and other medical issues and police say the initial investigation showed that Patricia did not provide the standard level of care set out in the Criminal Code.

On Tuesday, the Crown upgraded the charge to criminal negligence causing death.