'Maybe something just cracked': Calgary mother charged in disabled daughter's death

"Dedicated." That's how a shocked neighbourdescribes a Calgary mother charged in her severely disabled daughter's death, amid allegations that she failed to properly care for her.

Patricia Couture, 68, has been charged with failing to provide the necessaries of life to her 38-year-old daughter, Melissa, who died Tuesday. ("Necessaries" is the actual word used in thespecific charge under Section 215 of the Criminal Code, although it's commonly referred to colloquially as "failing to provide the necessities of life.")

"This is a shock to me because Pat spent her whole life taking care of Melissa," said JohnByers, who has been neighbours with theCouturesfor 30 years.

There is "no more dedicated person that I know than Pat," he said. "Maybe something just cracked."

Byers described Melissa as "mentally challenged," and said she couldn't hear or speak.

As far asByersknows, Patricia had been a single mother for all of Melissa's life.Byerssaid she fought for Melissato get into regular public schools so she could be integrated more into the community.

"We watched Pat age prematurely in the last 30 years."

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'Difficult for everybody involved,' police say

Police and paramedics were called to the home in the southwest community of Woodlandson Tuesday at 3a.m.,where they found Melissaunresponsive.

She waspronounced dead shortly after.

Patricia Couture made an appearance before a justice of the peace around 2a.m. Wednesday morning and a psychiatric assessment was ordered.

Calgary police Insp.Don Coleman said it's a hard case for everyone.

"It's difficult for everybody involved, family included," Colemansaid.

"In Canada, there is a reasonable expectation of care tobe provided to those who can't care for themselves. So it would appear this hasn't been met."

He said these types of investigations are complex.

"[It is a] very lengthy, complicated investigationthat's by no means finished because a charge was laid. It's going to continue for some period of time."

PatriciaCoutureis set to appear in domestic docket court on Thursday.

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.

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