Day home operator Caitlin Jarosz sentenced to 5 years for toddler's death

A Calgary day home operator, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the 2012 death of a 21-month-old toddler, made a tearful apology as she was given a five-and-a-half-year sentence Wednesday morning.

Mackenzy Woolfsmith died from multiple blunt force trauma in Caitlin Jarosz's home in southeast Calgary, according to the medical examiner's report.

"I accept full responsibility for what has happened," Jarosz told court before she was sentenced.

At first, Jarosz told police Woolfsmith fell down the stairs.

But after an investigation by the Calgary police major crimes section, Jarosz was charged in 2013 with second-degree murder.

She pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter last November.

Parents make emotionalstatements

Jennifer and Dan Woolfsmith read emotional victim impact statements before Court of Queen's Bench Justice Karen Horner delivered the sentence.

"I spent my second Mother's Day going to the funeral home to pick up her ashes," said the toddler's mother, who now has a son and baby on the way.

Fighting back tears, Dan Woolfsmith spoke of his continued grief and anger.

"I was not able to teach her how to ride a bike.I was not able to teach her to swim," he said.

When it came time for Jarosz to make a statement, she burst into tears as she spoke to the family in the gallery.

"I understand this tragedy is truly yours. This is about your feelings, your loss but please know that I am truly sorry," she said.

"I really wish I could bring Mackenzy back to you."

Specifics on injuries still unclear

While he believes Jarosz is truly remorseful, Crown lawyer Shane Parker noted that she has never explained how the toddler became so badly injured.

"The specifics, that's going to be an unanswered question for the family," he said.

Parker said the sentence is appropriate.

"For this given type of situation, where it seems to be a tragic application of force, but very momentary. This wasn't any kind of prolonged abuse it looked like a flash of anger that then led to unspeakable, inarticulable kind of pain for the family," he said.