'He's still a child': Mother of slain teen wants rehabilitation, not revenge
Lynne Baudouy knows she'll never get her son back.
But resenting the teenager who killed him won't bring him back either, she says.
"If I hold anger and animosity within me, then I can't heal. I can't move on. And I'm no use as a parent to my other kids."
Her son, Lucas Gaudet, was stabbed in February during an altercation outside a high school on Montreal's West Island.
The 16-year-old died in hospital shortly afterwards.
On Tuesday, the accused, also 16, pleaded guilty to one charge of second-degree murder and one charge of aggravated assault.
His actions would change Baudouy's life forever -- but she doesn't want revenge.
Instead, she wants change.
"I truly do want this child to rehabilitate himself. To make himself a productive member of society," she told CTV News.
"He's still a child."
The boy was sentenced to three years in youth detention and two in community service.
It's a decision Baudouy is at peace with.
"I think he's just another misguided teenager. My gut feeling when they were reading the sentence was to go and give him a hug. He looked scared."
The Youth Protection Act prohibits the publication of any details that might identify the convicted.
RISE IN TEEN VIOLENCE
Quebec has witnessed a surge in youth violence over the past year, with Gaudet counted among its victims.
Lucas Gaudet was just 16 years old when he was stabbed during a conflict with numerous teenage boys. That list also includes Amir Benayad, 17, who was shot to death in the Plateau neighbourhood in January; Jannai Dopwell Bailey, 16, who was stabbed and killed last October; Thomas Trudel, 16, who was killed in November and Meriem Boundaoui, 15, who was shot in a drive-by in February 2021.
Their deaths have sparked calls for change from youth and adults alike, including Badouy.
In March, she participated in a demonstration honouring the victims and calling for more youth support.
"I wouldn't wish it on any parent to have to lose their child in such a violent, tragic way," she said at the time.
She now hopes that same support can be extended to the boy who killed her son.
"All I know is, this kid needs to be surrounded and supported in order for him to rehabilitate."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
The Indian couple killed in a wrong-way police chase crash on Highway 401 earlier this week has been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Spain abolishes national bullfighting award in cultural shift
Spain scrapped an annual bullfighting award on Friday, prompting a rebuke from conservatives over a backlash against a centuries-old tradition they see as an art form but which has run into growing concern for animal welfare.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.