A woman from Quebec has been given a 27-month prison sentence for pouring scalding water on a young child, as decided by Quebec court Judge Marc Antoine Carette at the Longueuil courthouse. Stéphanie Borel, aged 47, had pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in September related to an incident on October 2, 2024.
The victim, a 10-year-old boy, disclosed that he was walking home from school with friends in a Montreal suburb on the South Shore when the incident occurred. He suffered second-degree burns on approximately four percent of his body, including his face, chest, and shoulder blade. A publication ban has been imposed to safeguard his identity.
The court affirmed that there was no evidence indicating that Borel, who is white, targeted the boy, who is Black, based on his race. The incident arose as a response to ongoing disturbances caused by children playing pranks at Borel’s residence.
During the sentencing hearing, the boy’s family emphasized the impact of the attack on his life, advocating for Borel’s imprisonment to denounce violence against children. Mitigating factors presented by the defense included Borel’s guilty plea, acknowledgment of the facts, and her active pursuit of psychological assistance.
Borel, whose bail was rescinded in October, will serve 20 more months in prison. A family friend expressed contentment at the sentencing outcome, highlighting that it signifies society’s rejection of such cruelty and provides the family with an opportunity to move forward and heal.