Ashley Rattlesnake, 30, faced an Edmonton court this week for her sentencing hearing regarding the tragic death of eight-year-old Nina Napope Dumais. This hearing marks the first public acknowledgment of the victim’s name since her passing in 2023, following the lifting of publication bans that previously shielded the identities of those involved.
Background of the Case
Initially charged with first-degree murder, Rattlesnake had her charges reduced to second-degree murder. In September 2025, she submitted a guilty plea to manslaughter. This plea faced opposition from Dumais’ family and the Edmonton Police Service, who described the plea agreement as a potential “miscarriage of justice.”
Community Response
- Family and friends adorned the courtroom in shirts displaying Dumais’ photo.
- The shirts contained the powerful message, “Justice for Nina.”
Starr Dumais, the victim’s grandmother, shared a heartfelt victim impact statement from Nina’s father, Brandon Dumais. He expressed his sorrow, describing his daughter as vibrant and deeply loved. “I will never get to see the beautiful young woman she would have become,” he lamented.
Discovery of the Victim
Nina Napope Dumais went missing in April 2023. Authorities discovered her body a few days later within a hockey bag in Maskwacis, Alberta, approximately 95 kilometers south of Edmonton. At the time, she was under Rattlesnake’s supervision, along with three other children who shared the same father, currently incarcerated.
Abuse Uncovered
Reports indicated that Dumais faced persistent abuse. Interviews revealed that other children in the home noted she was subjected to “regular abuse,” which was not directed at them. An autopsy revealed multiple injuries at varying stages of healing, marking the effects of chronic abuse. The cause of death was determined to be blunt-force trauma to the head. Additionally, the examination found sepsis and multiple injuries, including fractured bones and severe bruising.
Sentencing Recommendations
As the court session progressed, the Crown recommended a nine-year sentence for Rattlesnake, emphasizing key findings from a Gladue report. Meanwhile, the defense argued for a seven-year term. The court is anticipated to deliver its sentence on Friday.
