In October 2017, Ivy Wick, a three-year-old, succumbed to her injuries at a Calgary hospital. The information was provided by a source.
In a Calgary courtroom on Thursday, emotions ran high as a man faced sentencing for the tragic beating death of his girlfriend's three-year-old daughter. Ivy Wick, who sustained injuries on September 27, 2017, succumbed to head and brain injuries eight days later. An autopsy revealed blunt force trauma as the cause of her demise.
Justin Bennett, 30, confessed to undercover police officers a year after the incident, acknowledging that he had lost control when the child interrupted his video game. He admitted to smashing her head, throwing her against a wall, and tripping her. Convicted of second-degree murder in March 2021, Bennett's sentencing was delayed due to lawyer changes and an unsuccessful attempt to declare a mistrial.
During the hearing, Ivy's mother, Helen Wordsworth, expressed her grief in a victim impact statement, condemning Bennett for directing his anger towards an innocent child. Ivy's aunt, Heather Wordsworth, held no forgiveness, emphasizing that Bennett belonged where he was. Grandparents Don and Ellie Wordsworth remembered their granddaughter as happy and gentle, lamenting the day she must have been scared and confused.
Crown prosecutor Tom Spark highlighted aggravating factors, including Bennett's role as the caregiver, delayed emergency response, and deceptive behaviour towards medical staff. Spark recommended a 15-year prison term before parole eligibility for Bennett, who faces an automatic life sentence.
Bennett's lawyer, Greg Lazin, acknowledged the pain caused to Ivy's family, citing Bennett's abusive childhood and immaturity at the time of the incident. Lazin proposed parole eligibility after 13 years, emphasizing Bennett's lack of understanding about parenting.
Despite Bennett's numerous jail assaults and fear for his safety, he declined to address the court or the victim's family. Justice Blair Nixon of the Court of King's Bench scheduled Bennett's sentencing for February 16, 2024.
In a devastating conclusion to the case, the Canadian Press reported on January 11, 2024, reflecting the profound impact of Ivy Wick's untimely death on her family and the legal proceedings that followed.
