The manslaughter case against former Strathroy babysitter Meggin Van Hoof has been put on hold once more, with proceedings now scheduled to continue on April 15, 2026. Van Hoof has pleaded not guilty to a charge stemming from the 2015 death of 15-month-old Nathaniel McLellan, who was in her care when he suffered a fatal injury.
Since the trial began in the fall, the court has heard evidence detailing how the toddler was taken to hospital in October 2015 after collapsing with a serious head injury.
Testifying Friday, triage nurse Terry McCarthy described her first assessment of the child at Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital.
“I think he had a little laceration on his forehead,” McCarthy said from the witness stand.
She told the court that after removing his clothing to examine him more closely, she noticed troubling physical signs.
“He was stiff as a board and his feet were pointed,” she testified.
McCarthy also said Nathaniel’s mother, Rose-Anne Van De Weile, appeared distraught at the hospital. According to the nurse, she said her son had been at the babysitter’s home and had fallen down a set of stairs.
The court later heard from Erin Donahue, who said her own children were also looked after by Van Hoof.
Donahue testified that she briefly spoke with the accused the same day the toddler was injured.
“She said that somebody got injured in her care,” Donahue told the court.
She added that Van Hoof indicated the situation was “more severe than first realized.”
Donahue said she later reached out by text message to check on Van Hoof.
The case has experienced repeated delays related to scheduling issues and legal arguments. The trial is now adjourned until mid-April 2026, when testimony is expected to continue.
Written by: myFM News