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Eight-Year Sentence in Death of 8-Year-Old Leaves Alberta Woman With Under Four Years to Serve

The decision credits nearly four years of pretrial custody.

Nina Napope pictured in this undated photo. The eight-year-old girl was found dead in a hockey bag in central Alberta.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Charlene Dumais (Mandatory Credit)
Family members express their disappointment and anger outside Edmonton’s law courts Friday, February 27, 2026, at the eight year sentence Ashley Rattlesnake, 30, received for the death of Nina Napope Dumais, 8, who was found in a hockey bag in Maskwacis.
Pictured is a framed photo of Nina Napope Dumais, an eight-year-old girl who was killed more than two years ago.
Gia Dumais, Starr Dumais and Rose Dumais talk about how disappointed they are in the eight year sentence Ashley Rattlesnake, 30, received for the death of Nina Napope Dumais, 8, who was found in a hockey bag in Maskwacis. Taken on Friday, February 27, 2026 at the law courts building in Edmonton.

Overview

  • Ashley Rattlesnake pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the 2023 death of eight-year-old Nina Napope.
  • Court of King’s Bench Justice Jody Fraser imposed an eight-year term with roughly four years credited for time already served, leaving about three years and nine months in custody.
  • The judge stated that public criticism from Edmonton police of Crown prosecutors did not influence the sentence.
  • Nina’s body was found in a hockey bag on the Samson Cree Nation, and an autopsy documented multiple broken bones and other injuries consistent with chronic abuse, along with sepsis.
  • Crown prosecutors sought nine years and the defence argued for seven, and Rattlesnake will serve her sentence in a prison outside Alberta.