JAILED MOM ATTENDS FUNERAL

Woman Charged In Methadone-Related Death Of Daughter

Local News - Escorted by police officers, a Barrie mother accused of
killing her only child was permitted to leave her jail cell to attend her
daughter's funeral in Toronto on Saturday.

Brenda Palmer, 43, is charged with manslaughter, trafficking and criminal
negligence causing the death of her 13-year-old daughter, Corinne after the
teen died from an overdose of methadone last week in the family's Golfdale
Road apartment.

Family and friends, including school-girls with tear-streaked faces,
attended the Newediuk Funeral Home, then made their way to St. Andrew's
Catholic Church on Kipling Avenue in the city's west-end.

On a judge's court order, the mother was taken from her cell at the
Penetanguishene superjail by Barrie City polic criminal investigation
officers to the funeral home for a private visit with her daughter. Later,
officers took her to the cemetery after guests, who dropped flowers upon
the dead girl's coffin, were asked to leave.

"It was all very beautiful and very touching and so very sad," said Debra
Morrison, Palmer's neighbour.

She described how two young school friends stood at the front of the church
during the service to recite a poem to their friend "who is now in heaven."

Palmer will be back in court May 28.