Mother, stepfather charged with 1st degree murder in Port Alberni child’s death

Two people have been charged with first-degree murder in the 2018 death of a six-year-old boy, according to Port Alberni RCMP.

Dontay Lucas was found in medical distress inside a home on March 13 of that year. He died in hospital. Police did not say how he died.

On Saturday, more than four years after his death, RCMP announced 28-year-old Rykel Frank, the child’s mother, and her 29-year-old husband, Mitchell Frank, had been arrested and charged.

Dontay Patrick Lucas died March 2018 after being found in medical distress in a home. (Submitted: Patrick Lucas)

Under the Criminal Code, a first-degree murder conviction carries a life sentence and ineligibility for parole for 25 years.

“These investigations are very complex. The amount of material is very large and we have to disclose that to Crown Counsel in a very particular way as per the MOU with police agencies and Crown Counsel. It’s very labour intensive and then from there we are waiting on reports from forensics, we are waiting on reports from the Coroners Service, and from there have to build a disclosure package,” Port Alberni Sgt. Clayton Wiebe said Monday, adding “it takes a long time.”

Charges have now been laid in the death of Dontay Patrick Lucas four years ago. (Submitted Patrick Lucas)

The child’s stepmother, Kirsten Deene, says the news just feels like the wound has been reopened, and she says Patrick, and the entire family has been heartbroken and waiting for answers.

She says Dontay was beloved by everyone who knew him.

“He was a really happy boy, regardless of everything he was going through at home. He always had a reason to smile,” she told CityNews.

“It was a major impact on the community. The school had talked about how humourous he was, his friends talked about how much fun they used to have all the time. He never liked leaving anyone out, he was always really kind. Basically the kind of kid who would give the shirt off his back.”

The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, which represents 14 First Nations in three regions along the coast of Vancouver Island, expressed relief that charges had been laid.

However, the council says four years is too long to wait.

“We would like to thank the RCMP for their thorough investigation and their efforts to consistently communicate with us during this process. We believe this is one step forward in finding justice for this child,” a statement from president Judith Sayers and vice president Mariah Charleson reads, in part.

A photo of Dontay Patrick Lucas provided by his father. (Submitted: Patrick Lucas)

“Our hearts and prayers go out to the communities of Ahousaht and Hesquiaht where this child holds family ties and hopes this announcement brings you some closure. We hold you close to our hearts during this devastating time,” the statement adds.