Funeral for baby draws hundreds

About 300 people gathered Monday in a Verdun church for the funeral of Audrey Dub-Martin.

The 23-month-old girl died after her father left her sleeping in his car in the heat for several hours.

He has been charged with manslaughter.

Meanwhile, a hospital chaplain says the public should have compassion for the man accused in the case.

Verdun Hospital Chaplain Claude Paradis says it's a very difficult time for the parents.

Audrey Dub-Martin died Thursday after being left alone in a car for more than eight hours.

• FROM JULY 18, 2003 - Father charged in baby's death

Dominic Martin, 26, has pleaded not guilty to a manslaughter charge. He is scheduled to return to court Oct. 2. He could face a life sentence if found guilty.

Routine broken

Reports say the father usually drove his daughter to a local day-care centre, then dropped his wife at her workplace before parking his car near the Lasalle subway station and commuting to his own job.

But Thursday, the family broke with routine, according to media reports. The family was apparently running late and Martin drove his wife to work first, then parked his car near the mtro station.

He says that day, he forgot Audrey was in the back seat.

When Martin returned that afternoon, Audrey was unconscious. He rushed her to Verdun Hospital.

Police questioned Martin at the hospital then arrested him.