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Roseanne Whalen will spend at least the next 15 years behind bars in the murder of her two-year old daughter Marissa. That sentence was delivered this morning at the Welland courthouse. Marissa died at the hands of Whalen’s girlfriend Rainbow Hill.
The judge delivered a stiffer sentence to Whalen than that given to Rainbow Hill because she stood by and watched her daughter being abused by Hill and did nothing to protect her.
Little Marissa was hit, slapped, force fed until she vomited. Her face so black and blue she was never seen in public. Two days after her second birthday, Marissa was kicked in the stomach by Rainbow Hill for having a full diaper. Her mother Roseanne Whalen didn’t intervene. Marissa died from injuries inflicted by Hill. Buried in a crude grave. Her murder concealed for months.
Justice Robert Reid’s decision — Whalen must spend 15 years in prison before being eligible for parole. That’s three years longer than Hill.
Geoff Hadfield, Whalen’s lawyer: “That’s the difficulty isn’t it. Ms. Hill received the benefit of the plea, whereas my client went to trial. A plea is normally considered a mitigating factor in sentencing.”
The defence says Whalen was abused by Hill.
Justice Reid wasn’t convinced that Whalen was abused by Rainbow Hill. She did have to go to the hospital once to be treated for a split lip. But he says she had opportunities to leave and didn’t. And she did more to protect her relationship with Hill than to protect her vulnerable and helpless little girl.”
Marissa was forced to stand for long periods in the corner while Hill and Whalen got high on the couch.
Whalen’s cousin Julie Collins says Whalen has a significant learning disability: “Before any of this happened, Roseanne could have been helped. Since she was a child she had a problem. She was assessed at school and it wasn’t pushed any further.”
Justice Reid found Whalen to be streetwise — deflected blame and expressed emotion in a staged way.
Roseanne Whalen sobbed in court this morning when she heard she’d be spending another 13 years in prison.
Geoff Hadfield: “It’s really been hell for her. I suppose some people would say that’s appropriate. To me, it’s like putting a 12 or 13-year old into a situation with grown up adult persons who are not of the kindest disposition.”
The jury that found Roseanne Whalen guilty of second-degree murder also had a hand in her sentencing. They recommended — and the judge took into consideration — that Whalen remain behind bars for at least 15 years.
