Sherri Aikenhead and Karissa Boudreau

Someone in the audience asked about getting people to talk about a horrific crime against a child. And in the end, the people who shared their stories helped get the truth on the record about the girl who will forever be 12-years old.

Episode Transcript

(00:03):
Well, it certainly wasn't a lastminute of request. A book launch had
been planned for several weeks, butthe person who was supposed to speak with
the author had to fly across thecountry to be with their family because of
that. I got a message fromSherry Aikenhead asking me if I could be
with her for the launch of herbook, Mommy Don't at the Halifax Public
Library, made twenty fourth, andof course I was honored for the opportunity,

(00:24):
even though my wife pointed out hadhappened to be the same night as
the season finale of Survivor. Ourlong standing date night now listens for the
launch of her very first book,The true crime story about the murder of
Caissa Boudreau January two thousand and eight, twelve year old daughter, an only
child of Penny Boudreau, A womanwho had, up until that point was
liked and respected by the people whoknew her. A woman who tearfully went

(00:45):
in front of television cameras and microphonesto plead for her daughter to come home.
A woman who spun a tale thatshe had an argument with her daughter
while they were out for a driveand reported to police that she'd run away.
In a snowstorm on a Sunday nightin the dead of winter, a
missing child from a quiet rule NovaScotia town of Bridgewater. Two weeks later,
the body of the little girl wasfound frozen along the side of the

(01:06):
road next to the Have River,and then the rumor mill kicked an overdrive.
Who could have even comprehended an abduction, let alone a murder in a
community where everyone knew each other andfew people even bothered to lock their doors.
The word I used was gobsmacked,and we were. Former journalist Jerry
Aikenhead was in the courtroom to hearthe guilty plea. They agreed upon statement

(01:26):
of facts in the words I'm sorry, coming from the mother who killed her
daughter. Her confession spared the familyfrom testifying a trial, and it also
helped them reach a plea deal ofa life sentence with no eligibility of parole
for twenty years, and at thattime she was also covered under the faint
Hope clause where she can apply afterfifteen years, and that date is approaching.

(01:47):
It was an honor to be partof her circle at the Paul Oregan
Hall. Husband Steve, family friends, supporters were there along with strangers to
hear readings from the book and toask questions of the author. And as
nervous as Sherry said she was aheadof the event, she was a rock
star. No, she hadn't spokenwith Penny for the book. Yes,
it took two years to get theundercover operative to speak. And the question

(02:07):
of redemption and justice will go unansweredfor now. That's not what Mummy Don't
has about. It's a chronicle ofthe lies of all of these people who
came together after the death of agregarious, animal loving preteen. And it's
no surprise to me that it's nowscaling the best seller lists across the country.
It's a story that's indelibly etched onthe community but is now documented forever.

(02:29):
And congratulations Sherry on the results ofso many years of hard work and
determination, And thank you for givinga voice to the little girl who loved
animals and her friends and who wassilenced way too soon. And I know
Steve had Jam Jam at the survivorpool. No spoilers, we'll find out
later tonight how that all ended.And it truly was an honor to be

(02:50):
a part of this moment with somany supportive people there for Sherry Akenhead.
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