Nina Albright, who is now 24, pleaded guilty in November to indecent assault on a body. The court heard Albright gave birth at her parents’ home but told police the infant stopped breathing after a few minutes. She said she tried to clear the baby’s airway but did not call for help. Albright said she wrapped the child in plastic and cloth bags before taking her boyfriend to drive him to an area where she left the body. Three coroners found the baby girl was born alive, but could not say when she died. The police who recovered her body named her Eva. Attorney Vicki Faulkner said at a sentencing hearing Friday that Albright must pay for her crime and serve three to six months in prison. But Judge John Bascom told the court that was not on the table. “I’m not thinking of putting Ms Albright in prison. That still means that because of the position the Crown has taken, I have to consider a conditional sentence order as well,” Bascom said. “I have come to the conclusion that actual prison is not appropriate.” He set a sentencing date for Oct. 31. Faulkner told the court that Albright committed a “planned and deliberate” crime and did not seek help, even though her adoptive parents were at home when she gave birth. “Ms. Albright made no attempt to determine if the baby was actually dead before throwing it in the trash when it was well below freezing,” Faulkner said. Gavin Wolch, Albright’s lawyer, told the court his Aboriginal client was adopted by parents who were professors at Mount Royal University. He said he suffers from fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and is in poor mental health. He said the court should impose an absolute discharge. “Nina Albright is being sentenced for a terrible decision she made five years ago and has been tormenting her ever since,” Wolch said. “It’s not a crime of violence, it’s a crime of sadness. She has to live with her actions. She has no option for closure.” The court heard a victim impact statement from the baby’s father, Alfred Sonido, who said he did not know Albright was pregnant. “I lost a daughter I never knew. She brought me many emotions, all of which I bear and fight every day,” said Sonido. “I feel devastated. My tears and grief eat away at me until I feel more lost, unable to cope, I wish every day that things had turned out differently.” Albright also addressed the court. “When I held my little girl, I loved her more than anything. The pain of bringing someone into the world and not being able to support her is overwhelming,” she said, choking back tears. “I hope someday I get a chance to grieve and move on with my life. This has changed me forever and I’m truly sorry for everything.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published on September 9, 2022.
