Ontario mother given 18 months house arrest for drowning death of 3-year-old son

38-year-old Michelle Hanson pleaded guilty in November to one count of criminal negligence causing death over the tragic incident, admitting to drinking alcohol and taking her young son, Kaden Young, for a drive because he could not sleep.

According to CP24, the mother on Feb. 21, 2018, near Orangeville "drove around a large sign that said the road was closed due to an overflowing river during a winter thaw, and ended up partialy submerged in the fast-moving water."

Hanson was sentenced by Justice Gisele Miller for 18 months house arrest, followed by six months with a nightly curfew. Hanson will also attend grief counselling and substance use counselling, according to CP24.

"No penalty imposed by this court will ever have the effect of punishing Michelle Hanson more than she has punished herself for her reckless actions and no doubt will continue to punish herself for the rest of her life," Miller, who accepted a joint position from the Crown and defence on sentencing, said Tuesday. "No penalty this court could impose will ever bring Kaden back or lessen anguish felt by those close to him because of his death and its circumstances," Miller said.