Cambridge mother who killed daughter to be sent to mental health hospital [Video]

Melissa Duff-Shore, a Cambridge, Ont. woman who killed her daughter in 2020, has been ordered to a forensic hospital in St. Thomas.

Duff-Shore was originally charged with second-degree murder in the death of 22-year-old Kayla Duff.

Earlier this year, Duff-Shore was found not criminally responsible due to “reason of mental disorder” – specifically, automatism.

Automatism is defined as a state of unconscious, involuntary behaviour.

Review board’s decision

The Ontario Review Board decided earlier this week that Duff-Shore is to be detained at the Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care in St. Thomas.

It would then be up to staff at the hospital to decide if Duff-Shore would be allowed out in the surrounding Elgin and Middlesex counties, while being accompanied by staff. If approved, police would also be notified ahead of time.

The review board also noted Duff-Shore must abstain from drugs and alcohol, can’t possess any weapons and would be required to submit random urine samples and take drug tests.

The Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental …