Bridgewater residents breathed a sigh of relief yesterday after hearing news Saturday that Penny Boudreau had been charged in the murder of her daughter, Karissa.
“I was at a banquet last night and the chairperson got up and announced it,” said Annette Chipman, who was enjoying a peaceful picnic with a friend along the LaHave River not far from where the 12-year-old girl’s body was found Feb. 9.
“Everyone cheered,” she said.
The last time Penny Boudreau made a public appearance she tearfully pleaded for the girl to come home.
But today she will appear in Bridgewater provincial court to face charges of first-degree murder in Karissa Boudreau’s death.
Sgt. Mark Gallagher of the RCMP said police are relieved to have finally had the chance to lay charges.
“As time goes on … there’ll be a lot more clarity,” he added.
At a press conference Saturday, RCMP officers and the Bridgewater police said they had arrested Boudreau in Halifax Friday evening.
“We do not expect anyone else to be charged in this case,” said Bridgewater police Chief Brent Crowhurst.
Boudreau reported her daughter missing Jan. 27, telling police the last time she saw her was in the parking lot at the Bridgewater Sobeys.
She said she had argued with Karissa and then left her in the car while she picked up a few items in the store. When she returned, she said, Karissa was gone.
An extensive air, ground and water search ensued until a passerby found the young girl’s frozen remains on the banks of the LaHave River and police confirmed Feb. 14 her death was the result of a homicide.
-robyn.young@metronews.ca
