Executive Summary
- Stéphanie Borel pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in September.
- The 10-year-old victim suffered second-degree burns to his face and chest.
- The incident was precipitated by neighborhood “ring-and-run” pranks.
- Prosecutors are seeking jail time for the 47-year-old defendant.
Stéphanie Borel, 47, appeared at the Longueuil courthouse on Wednesday for a sentencing hearing after pleading guilty to aggravated assault for throwing scalding water on a 10-year-old boy. Borel entered her guilty plea in September regarding the incident, which left the child with significant injuries.
According to the agreed statement of facts presented in court, the assault took place on October 2, 2024, in the South Shore city of Montreal. The victim suffered second-degree burns covering approximately four percent of his body, including severe injuries to his face, chest, and shoulder blade.
Court documents indicate that Borel and the victim did not know each other prior to the event. Borel reportedly lived near the boy’s elementary school and had expressed frustration over a neighborhood “ring-and-run” game, where children would ring her doorbell and flee. On the day of the assault, the boy approached Borel’s residence to participate in the game, but she opened the door and threw boiling water on him before he could ring the bell.
Investigators confirmed there was no evidence to suggest the attack was racially motivated. The Crown prosecutor is expected to argue for a custodial sentence, citing the severity of the assault on a minor.
Judicial Proceedings
The sentencing phase in this case underscores the judicial system’s process for determining appropriate penalties in cases of aggravated assault involving minors. While the guilty plea has established culpability, the court is now tasked with weighing the aggravating factor of the victim’s age and the severity of the physical harm against any mitigating circumstances provided by the defense. This stage is critical for establishing legal accountability while adhering to the sentencing guidelines set forth in the Criminal Code.
