Executive Summary
- Ashley Rattlesnake appeared in court for sentencing after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the death of 8-year-old Nina Napope Dumais.
- The Crown is seeking a nine-year sentence, while the defense is arguing for a seven-year term.
- An autopsy confirmed the victim died from blunt-force trauma and sepsis following chronic abuse.
- Publication bans were lifted during the hearing, allowing the victim to be publicly identified for the first time.
Ashley Rattlesnake, 30, appeared in an Edmonton courtroom on Wednesday for the commencement of her sentencing hearing regarding the death of eight-year-old Nina Napope Dumais, following a guilty plea to manslaughter entered in September 2025. The proceedings marked the lifting of publication bans that had previously prevented the public identification of the victim, the accused, and witnesses involved in the case.
According to court documents, Napope Dumais was reported missing in April 2023, and her body was discovered days later concealed in a hockey bag in Maskwacis, Alberta, approximately 95 kilometers south of Edmonton. While Rattlesnake was initially charged with first-degree murder, the charge was later reduced to second-degree murder before she pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter. Family members and the Edmonton Police Service have expressed opposition to the plea agreement, with statements read in court describing the resolution as a miscarriage of justice.
Evidence presented during the hearing detailed the medical examiner’s findings, which concluded the cause of death was blunt-force trauma to the head, complicated by sepsis and a weakened physical state. The autopsy report cited multiple injuries in various stages of healing, including fractured bones, broken teeth, and extensive bruising. Younger children residing in the home reportedly told police investigators that Napope Dumais was the subject of regular abuse that was not inflicted on the other children.
The Crown is seeking a nine-year prison sentence, taking into account the findings of a Gladue report, which provides context on the background of Indigenous offenders for sentencing purposes. The defense has countered with a recommendation for a seven-year sentence. A final sentencing decision is expected to be handed down by the court on Friday.
Judicial Ramifications
The presiding judge’s upcoming decision will likely center on balancing the principles of denunciation and deterrence with the specific statutory requirements regarding Indigenous sentencing in Canada. The disparity between the Crown’s recommendation and the defense’s submission highlights the legal complexities involved in weighing the severity of chronic abuse against the mitigating factors presented in Gladue reports. It is important to note that while a guilty plea has been entered in this matter, the legal system operates on the presumption of innocence for all individuals regarding initial charges until proven guilty in a court of law.
