Chelsea Whitby, who was initially charged with second-degree murder in the death of her son Emerson, has been found not guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter after a lengthy court case in Regina. Emerson died from blunt force head trauma on June 10, 2020. Whitby allegedly found him “lifeless” in his crib and called 911, but the child passed away after being taken to the hospital. The case mainly focused on the injuries Emerson sustained while under his mother’s care from mid-April to late May of 2020. Justice Catherine Dawson acknowledged the emotional impact of Emerson’s death on everyone involved in the case and stated that the prosecution failed to prove Whitby’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Whitby was questioned for seven hours by experienced officers and maintained her innocence throughout the interview. The judge also mentioned that officers had wiretapped conversations between Whitby, her boyfriend, and her mother without her knowledge. Despite the verdict, the crown expressed disappointment and stated that they may appeal within 30 days. Whitby’s defense lawyer described her reaction as relief, acknowledging that the case had been a major focus of her life for the past three years.