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Mother of Saskatchewan girls who froze to death says father has been charged

Canadian Press Article online since April 30th 2008, 23:00
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Mother of Saskatchewan girls who froze to death says father has been charged
Aunt Sheila Pauchay shows a family picture of Christopher Pauchay, left to right, Santana Pauchay, Tracey Jimmy and Kaydance Paunchay. A 24-year-old man has been charged in the deaths of two young girls. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Troy Fleece
REGINA - A Saskatchewan father whose young daughters froze to death on a reserve last January has been charged with criminal negligence in their deaths, according to the children's mother.
Tracy Jimmy told The Canadian Press that Christopher Pauchay of the Yellow Quill First Nation was arrested and charged by the RCMP. But Jimmy said she didn't think charges should be laid.
"I think that it's just adding more fuel to the fire," said Jimmy. "We're already suffering enough, we don't need to deal with it like this in this way."
The tragedy began on a frigid January morning when, according to police at the time, Christopher Pauchay left his home with three-year-old Kaydance and her one-year-old sister Santana. Relatives have said Pauchay might have been seeking medical help for one of the girls.
At some point, Pauchay got separated from the children.
He made it to a neighbouring house and was taken to hospital suffering from severe frostbite and hypothermia. It wasn't until about eight hours later, when Pauchay was finally able to communicate, that he asked about his children.
After searching for hours, authorities finally found the girls' frozen bodies in a snowy field.
They were only wearing diapers and T-shirts and stood little chance against wind-chilled temperatures that fell to around -50 C.
Preliminary autopsy results on the two children show they died of hypothermia.
"The accused, a resident of the Yellow Quill First Nations, has been charged with one count of criminal negligence causing death, specifically for failing to provide protection from exposure to the elements for the two young girls," Sgt. Carole Raymond told reporters in Regina.
Raymond said the single charge covers both victims.
The RCMP would also not confirm the name of the 24-year-old man they have charged or what relationship he may have to the children. Raymond said that information will not be released until May 21, when the accused is scheduled to appear in provincial court.
Jimmy identified the man charged as Pauchay.
"He's the father of my child and he's the father of my other children," she said in a phone interview.
Jimmy, who now has a two-week-old infant fathered by Pauchay, said he went quietly when police arrested him. She added that she is disappointed at the charge. Pauchay has not had an opportunity to respond in court to the charge.
Saskatchewan's chief coroner has said there could be an inquest into the freezing deaths of the two young girls. But Kent Stewart said Thursday that he wants to wait until the legal proceedings are complete before making that decision.
"If there's a trial or any of those legal matters, they would have to be concluded prior to making a decision or going ahead with an inquest," said Stewart.
"I don't have any time frame."
Coroner's inquests are called to determine the circumstances of how someone died and what can be done to prevent similar deaths.
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