Sioux Lookout OPP charge Sandy Lake woman in infant death; murder, neglect counts

SIOUX LOOKOUT, ON — The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) say members of the Sioux Lookout Detachment responded to a call on Sturgeon River Road on Friday, May 9, 2025, just before 8:00 a.m. CDT, regarding an unresponsive five-month-old infant. Police say the child was transported to hospital by EMS and later pronounced deceased.

Investigation Details

The investigation was led by the Sioux Lookout OPP Crime Unit under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.

Police say assistance was also provided by the OPP North West Region Support Team, Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, OPP Forensic Identification Services, and the OPP Forensic Interview Team.

Criminal Code Charges Laid

OPP report that Shoshonee Beardy, 26, of Sandy Lake First Nation, has been arrested and charged under the Criminal Code with:

• Second-degree murder — section 235(1)

• Fail to provide the necessaries of life — section 215(2)(a)

The accused remains in custody and is scheduled to appear virtually before the Ontario Court of Justice in Dryden on Thursday, December 11, 2025. (Charges have not been proven in court.)

Potential Penalties on Conviction

If convicted of second-degree murder, the Criminal Code requires a life sentence.

For second-degree murder, parole eligibility is not automatic: the court sets a period of parole ineligibility of at least 10 years, and it can be more than 10 years up to 25 years depending on the case.

For failing to provide the necessaries of life, the offence can proceed by indictment or summary conviction. If prosecuted by indictment, the maximum penalty is up to five years in prison.

If prosecuted by summary conviction, the general Criminal Code maximum penalty is up to two years less a day and/or a fine up to $5,000, unless another penalty is specifically set out.

How to Provide Information

Anyone with information that may assist investigators is asked to contact the Sioux Lookout OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.