Some stories shake you to the core—this is one of them: an abandoned toddler.
Warning: This story contains graphic content
In April 2017, this sad discovery in Edmonton sent shockwaves through the community. That abandoned toddler found was 19-month-old Anthony Joseph Raine, abandoned behind Good Shepherd Anglican Church, wrapped in a blanket. He had been there for three days. The autopsy confirmed what was already painfully obvious—this child had suffered. Severe head trauma. Multiple bruises. A rib fracture. Blood seeping from his ears. The kind of injuries no toddler should ever endure. And the worst part? It could have been prevented.
Who Was Responsible?
Authorities charged Anthony’s father, Joey Crier, and his girlfriend, Tasha-Lee Mack, with second-degree murder.’
The courtroom heard horrific details about what happened in the weeks leading up to Anthony’s death. Witnesses described how he went from being a “chunky, happy baby” to “skin and bones.” He was left in a room for long periods, rarely fed, and subjected to escalating violence. One witness, Alexa Noseworthy, testified that she heard “crying, yelling, smacking, and more crying” from their bedroom.
The Crown prosecutor, Monica Sabo, argued that Mack knew what was happening but did nothing. Blood coming from his ear and mouth should have been enough for anyone to realize this child needed medical attention. Instead, she let it happen.
The defence, on the other hand, argued that failing to act doesn’t automatically mean she caused Anthony’s death. But let’s be honest here—when you live with a toddler who is visibly deteriorating, covered in bruises, and crying in pain, choosing to do nothing is a choice—a fatal one.
The Brutality of Anthony’s Last Days
Dr. Elizabeth Brooks-Lim, Alberta’s chief medical examiner, testified that someone had struck Anthony multiple times. His entire face was bruised. His skull was fractured. There were fresh injuries, and there were older ones—like a rib fracture that likely made it painful for him to breathe or eat. The abuse wasn’t a one-time thing. It was ongoing, and it was brutal.
Then came the moment that made my stomach turn—how they got rid of him. Surveillance footage showed Mack and Crier pushing a stroller with a blue blanket near the church. A witness saw them stop, throw a white blanket in a garbage bin, and leave the child propped against the wall outside the church as if he were just another piece of discarded trash. Later, a bus driver recalled hearing Crier say they “needed to get rid of this thing,” to which Mack reportedly laughed.
When Justice Moves Too Slowly, Even For An Abandoned Toddler
It took over two years for this case to reach closing arguments, and even then, the delays frustrated those who followed the trial. Luci Johnson, a court worker representing Anthony’s mother’s family, voiced what many people felt: “The justice system takes so long… There needs to be some accountability for that little boy.”
She’s right. The child found outside church deserved a life where he was loved and protected. Instead, he was tortured, neglected, and abandoned by the very people who should have been keeping him safe.
Could His Death Have Been Prevented?
One of the most heartbreaking aspects of this case is knowing that Anthony might have survived if someone had just stepped in. Dr. Brooks-Lim explained that medical intervention could have relieved the swelling and bleeding around his brain. But nobody helped him. Nobody took him to a hospital.
The reality is that Anthony’s story isn’t unique. Child abuse cases like this happen far too often, slipping through the cracks until it’s too late.
Final Thoughts: An Abandoned Toddler and A Preventable Death
This case is one of those that lingers in your mind. The people responsible—whether through direct violence or inaction—need to face the consequences. But beyond that, it raises a bigger question: How do we prevent another Anthony Raine? How do we ensure that when a child is in danger, someone steps in before it’s too late?
Because no child should ever suffer like this. Not ever.
Author: Daniel Keaton
Bio: Daniel Keaton is an investigative journalist with over a decade of experience covering crime, justice, and social issues across Canada.
