A woman from Quebec has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for throwing scalding water on a young child, as determined by Quebec court Judge Marc Antoine Carette at the Longueuil courthouse. Stéphanie Borel, aged 47, admitted to aggravated assault last September related to an incident on October 2, 2024.
The victim, a 10-year-old boy, suffered second-degree burns on about four percent of his body, including his face, chest, and shoulder blade. The boy, who had been walking home from school with friends, encountered the woman near her residence on Montreal’s South Shore. Following the attack, the boy rushed home, reporting the incident to his father.
A publication ban was imposed to safeguard the child’s identity. It was confirmed that the assault was not racially motivated as Borel, who is white, and the boy, who is Black, were not acquainted. The statement of facts revealed that Borel lived close to the boy’s school and had grown frustrated with children repeatedly ringing her doorbell as part of a game.
During the sentencing hearing, the boy’s family emphasized the impact of the incident on his life, expressing concerns about his emotional well-being and visible scars. They advocated for Borel’s imprisonment to denounce violence against children. Factors contributing to the severity of the case included Borel’s potential for reoffending and the detrimental effects on the victim and his family.
Borel, whose bail was revoked in October, has 20 months left to serve in prison. Following the sentencing, a family friend of the boy expressed relief that Borel was held accountable, stating that such acts of cruelty must not be tolerated in Canadian society. The family is now focused on healing and moving forward.