Following 49 days of testimony, lengthy legal arguments and numerous adjournments all of the evidence is now in at the trial of a former Strathroy area babysitter charged in the death of a toddler. Meggin Van Hoof, 47, has plead not guilty to one charge of manslaughter in connection to the death of Nathaniel McLellan. The 15-month-old boy had been in the care of Van Hoof on the day he was rushed to hospital by his mother 11 years ago. He died in October 2015 after suffering blunt force trauma to the head. Van Hoof would not be charged until six years later. After the Crown closed its case on Friday, the defence said it was not calling any evidence and that the accused herself would not be testifying. Justice Michael Carnegie then told the court, “It is the Crown that bears the burden of proving the offence beyond a reasonable doubt.” The matter has now been put over until Oct. 28 to set a date for closing submissions which may not be heard until February of next year.
