Toddler died after being left alone in car seat for 5 hours by dayhome operator, court hears

A Calgary toddler died after being in a car seat in a closetfor five hours while a dayhome operator left to runerrands, court heard Monday when Elmarie Simons pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing death.

CeiraLynnMcGrath, 18-months-old, was was not properly clipped in because the seat was too small she slid down and choked herself in November 2015.

Ceira'stwin brother was also left in Simons' care. It's unclear where he was when his sister was in the closet for five hours. Learning some of the details for the first time, the twins' father, Ryan McGrath, called Simons a "monster" outside thecourtroom.

"It's absolutely horrific, it's disgusting. I don't know who could do this, especially a person we trusted," said McGrath. "I don't even have words for it's such a horrific awful thing."

The former dayhomeworker's trial was supposed to beginMonday morning but defence lawyer AlainHepnerand prosecutor PamMcCluskeyarranged a plea arrangement Monday afternoon.

As part of that hearing, some of thefacts of the case were read aloud.

Court heard that on the day the girl died, Simons put Ceira in a car seat that was too small for the toddler to be buckled in properly. Only the chest strap fit across the girl, so nothing prevented her from sliding down in the bucket seat.

Simons then placed the car seat in a walk-in closet for more than five hours while she ran errands at Walmart and McDonald's, according to the facts read aloud in court. Even after Simons arrived back home, she did not check on the girl.

Ceira died of asphyxiation caused by the car seat strap.

When police began investigating, Simons lied about the circumstances of the girl's death, court heard.

A sentencing hearing will take place next week. Victim impact statements will be read at that time.

Ceira's parents aren't yet sure how they'll put their loss into words.

"Every birthday, every Christmas, everything her twin brother doesis a reminder of her not being there, and when he has nobody to play withit's sad.

"We miss her terribly and she should be here."