Lethbridge mother charged in connection with teen son’s death

Dominik Rickaby is seen in a photo accompanying his obituary. (cornerstonefuneralhome.com)

A Lethbridge mother has been charged with criminal negligence in connection with the death of her teenage son.

The 13-year-old was found dead in the 1600 block of Mayor Magrath Drive South on Dec. 26, 2024.

Lethbridge police say the victim and his mother had been using drugs around 5 p.m. on Christmas Day, when he overdosed at a southside residence.

“A male acquaintance provided life-saving measures and a hang-up call to 911 was made, but upon the arrival of first responders, the boy’s mother hid him and lied about his whereabouts to prevent apprehension as he had previously been reported missing,” police said in a Wednesday news release.

Police say the mother and son left the home that evening, walking to a nearby business.

“Evidence gathered during the investigation indicated the boy was in medical distress,” police said.

“Video surveillance showed the pair spent the night on the street and the boy never moved from the ground. At no time were paramedics called.”

The accused called police at 2 p.m. on Boxing Day to report finding her son dead.

Police say toxicology results to confirm his cause of death are pending.

Blanche Isobel Irene Fick, 38, of Lethbridge, is charged with criminal negligence causing death and failing to provide the necessaries of life.

She remains in police custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 7.

“It’s tragic,” said Staff Sgt. Pete Christos. “We have a young person who’s overdosed on drugs, we know it has an impact on our community and of course with our members as well, so we take that seriously.”

It’s a sentiment echoed by Amber Jensen, spokesperson for Moms Stop the Harm.

“Either way you look at it, the unregulated drug supply (in Lethbridge) is very harmful,” she said. “Had there been a regulated supply and more safety measures in place, this might not have happened.”