Mother, Stepfather Charged With 1st Degree Murder In Port Alberni Child's Death

On March 13, 2018, first responders in Port Alberni were called to a home where a six-year-old boy was in medical distress.

On March 13, 2018, first responders in Port Alberni were called to a home where a six-year-old boy was in medical distress. Hours later, Dontay-Patrick Lucas was pronounced dead and Port Alberni RCMP began a four-year investigation into his death.

Last Friday, Port Alberni RCMP arrested Dontay’s mother, Rykel Frank (née Charleson), and her husband Mitchell Frank. The couple has been charged with first degree murder over Dontay’s death and are currently being held in police custody.

Cst. Richard Johns, Media Relations Officer for the Port Alberni RCMP, said that officers reviewed hours of video, spoke with dozens of witnesses and reviewed cell phone data and reports from outside agencies in order to lay the charges.

Sgt. Clayton Wiebe of the Port Alberni RCMP said that officers submitted an “enormous” amount of material to Crown Counsel. They had to wait for charges to be approved before making any arrests.

The Franks are next scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.