Laval daycare tragedy: balloon flight for the little victims

A balloon flight in memory of the little victims of the Laval daycare tragedy was held Thursday morning in Laval to mark this dark anniversary.

• Read also: Laval daycare tragedy: one year later, the mystery persists

Around sixty people came to pay tribute to the two children who died a year ago. The ceremony, organized in complete sobriety, was held mainly in silence. Several people could not hold back their tears.

“February 8, 2023 remains and will remain engraved in our memories and our hearts forever,” declared Nancy Gschwender, the owner of the daycare, in a press release. I think of Jacob, Maëva and their families. I also have a thought for the other little butterflies in the group and their families, the daycare team, the children, the parents and our entire community. I am proud of my team. Despite sadness and fatigue, she weathered the storm and continued to provide quality services to our families. The well-being of children remained the priority.”

Murders and attempted murders

On this date last year, a bus smashed through the facade of the Garderie Éducative Ste-Rose, located on the Dufferin terrace. Little Jacob Gauthier, 4 years old, and Maëva David, 5 years old, died. Several other children were injured.

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The driver, an employee of the Société de transport de Laval, was charged with murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault. Pierre Ny St-Amand has since been detained at the National Institute of Forensic Psychiatry Philippe-Pinel while awaiting further legal proceedings.