A little girl's death exposes fractures in how Edmonton handles child safety

Eight-year-old Nina Napope Dumais died in Edmonton after suffering chronic abuse in the care of Ashley Rattlesnake, her father's partner. A hole in the apartment wall, a bump on her head, blood from her mouth — the injury that killed her was the last of many.

Instead of calling for help, Rattlesnake allowed Nina to die, then arranged to hide her body.

What followed was a singular tragedy transformed into a political story. Edmonton Police Service objected when prosecutors agreed to let Rattlesnake plead guilty to manslaughter instead of murder, threatening a public relations war if the Crown didn't reverse course. Over the following months, top prosecutors were fired with no explanation, allegations of political interference were levelled at Alberta's UCP government, and a judge excoriated EPS for interfering in the case, suggesting senior police leaders may have broken the law.

Nina's family remembered her as a protector. Her father, Brandon Dumais, called her a ray of sunshine, a flower of a girl who loved to sing and dance. She was the eldest of three siblings, born in Edmonton with big brown eyes and a natural curiosity.

After her grandmother died in August 2022, Brandon moved in with Rattlesnake. He was arrested not long after, leaving Nina with Rattlesnake and her half-siblings. Two of the half-siblings, aged four and five, later told police what Nina's life was like during her months in Rattlesnake's care — details that have never been made fully public, but court documents indicate Rattlesnake singled Nina out for "unlawful corporal punishment."

The case reveals a system where a child fell through the cracks, a family grieving in the aftermath, and what happens when a police department goes to war with the justice system over how justice should be served.