Patricia Couture charged in daughter's death 'distraught,' according to lawyer

The Calgary mother accused in the death of her disabled daughter was releasedon bail Thursday morning,but remains "distraught," according to her lawyer.

Patricia Couture, 68, was charged on Wednesday with failing to provide the necessaries of life after Melissa Couture, 38, died in the home she shared with her mother.

• MORE COURT NEWS |'People have the right not to suffer,' husband says after wife's doctor-assisted death
• MORE COURT NEWS |'Do not admit guilt,' video shows cabbie telling himself after running over teen girl

"She's distraught and extremely tired," said defence lawyerAndre Ouellette.

The petite 68-year-old appeared in the courtroom in person, looking frail.

Couture had been a single mother to Melissa her whole life, according to neighbours.

Ouellette described his client as a dedicated mother who would often sleep on the floor so her daughter wouldn't be alone.

Police and paramedics were called to the home in the southwest community of Woodlands on Tuesday at 3 a.m., where they found Melissa unresponsive.

She was pronounced dead shortly after.

Couture's first concern is making funeral arrangements for her daughter, says Ouellette.

But getting his client released isn't Ouellette's only concern.

"She was browbeaten by police and accused of murder," said Ouellette.He called police tactics "completely inappropriate."

"They showed a complete lack of respect for a person's rights."

Couture is set to appear in domestic docket court on Thursday morning,when the bail hearing is expected to take place.

Aside from the developmental disability, Melissa also had a chronic medical issue, according to police.

The medical examiner deemed Couture's death suspicious and the homicide unit became involved.

An autopsy was to take place Wednesday but police have not released the results.

Couture is back in court May 26.