Published Nov 24, 2025Last updated 12 hours ago1 minute readCassie Marie Acorn, 40, pleaded guilty on Nov. 24 to infanticide in the death of her three-month-old daughter. Sentencing was adjourned to January 2026. Photo by Terrence McEachern /The GuardianArticle contentA Charlottetown woman has pleaded guilty to infanticide in relation to the death of her three-month-old daughter.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentCassie Marie Acorn, 40, was initially charged with first-degree murder but instead pleaded guilty to the lesser but included offence of infanticide on Nov. 24 in provincial court in Charlottetown. Acorn was represented in court by legal-aid lawyer Thane MacEachern.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentA psychiatric assessment briefly mentioned in court on Oct. 23 found Acorn criminally responsible in the matter. After that court appearance, Crown attorney John Diamond spoke to The Guardian and said that in the opinion of the psychiatrist who completed the report, there was sufficient evidence to establish that Acorn had postpartum depression and cognitive limitations that entitled her to a defence of infanticide.Article contentThe matter was adjourned at that time so the sides could discuss how to proceed in light of the psychiatrist’s report.Article contentAccording to information previously released by Charlottetown Police Services, Acorn’s three-month-old daughter – Winter Elizabeth Rose Acorn – died on March 20, 2025, at the IWK hospital in Halifax as a result of head injuries sustained in Charlottetown a few days earlier (on March 16, 2025). As a result of those fatal injuries, Acorn was charged with first-degree murder.Article contentChief Judge Jeff Lantz adjourned the matter to Jan. 6, 2026, for facts and sentence. A pre-sentence report wasn’t requested by the defence. The maximum sentence in Canada for infanticide is five years in prison. Acorn is currently not being held in pre-sentence custody.Article content
P.E.I. woman pleads guilty to infanticide
