Richard Froese
South Peace News

A trial will be rescheduled in the coming weeks for a young High Prairie woman charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a seven-month-old boy in October 2022.

Kyra Renee Backs was scheduled for trial Jan. 6-31 in Court of King’s Bench in Peace River.

However, the trial was adjourned at the request of the lawyer representing Backs on Jan. 6, states information provided by Court Checks media communications for Alberta Justice and Solicitor General.

The lawyer was waiting for more disclosure and requested more time to review disclosure.

The next court date is scheduled for Feb. 24 to set a date for trial.

Backs was 29 when she was charged on Oct. 15, 2022 by the RCMP in connection with the sudden death.

Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit was called to investigate an incident that is being called a homicide.

An RCMP news release issued Oct. 13 by Cpl. Deanna Fontaine, Media Relations Officer, Western Alberta District RCMP, says High Prairie RCMP received a report from the High Prairie Health Complex on Oct. 6 about 4:30 p.m.

“… of the sudden death of a seven-month-old male infant from High Prairie that occurred at a residence in High Prairie,” Fontaine wrote.

Police immediately launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death.

“An autopsy was conducted on Oct. 11, 2022 at the Edmonton Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the (infant’s) manner of death was determined to be a homicide.”

Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit took over the lead in the investigation assisted by the High Prairie RCMP, Alberta RCMP Forensic Identification Services and the Western Alberta District RCMP General Investigation Section.

Backs operated a day home in High Prairie at the time, Alberta RCMP Southern Alberta District Media Relations Officer Cpl Gina Slaney wrote in a Oct. 17, 2022 news release.