Toddler’s death likely not from accidental fall: medical examiner

According to a forensic pathologist, it is unlikely a toddler found buried with her mother two years ago west of Calgary died from an accidental fall.

In the trial of Robert Leeming, deputy medical examiner Dr. Akmal Coetzee-Khan returned to the witness stand to report his findings.

Leeming has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Jasmine Lovett but not guilty to second-degree murder in the death of 22-month-old Aliyah Sanderson.

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They were reported missing in April 2019 and their bodies were found a few weeks later in a shallow grave.

Coetzee-Khan earlier testified that the child died of blunt force injuries while Lovett suffered concussions and was shot in the head.

Under cross-examination, the doctor said it’s not impossible Aliyah sustained injuries in a fall. Though he says it’s highly unlikely.

He says he ruled the death a homicide because of her injuries, where her body was found and that nobody phoned 9-1-1 to get medical assistance.