The RCMP along with other Saskatchewan authorities will be releasing more information in Regina today about the beating death of a six-year-old boy east of the city.


Police have scheduled a news conference at 2 p.m. CT (4 p.m. ET). They will be joined by a social services representative, a senior prosecutor and the chief of First Nation where the incident happened.


CBCNews.ca will have live coverage of the news conference.



The RCMP have confirmed a suspect in the beating death of Lee Bonneau, 6, is another boy under 12 years old who was found at the scene.


Bonneau's body was discovered on Aug. 21 in an open area behind a recreation centre on the Kakawishtahaw First Nation, a community of 600 people located about 150 kilometres east of Regina.


Lee Bonneau,6, was described to be a fun-loving boy who loved to be outdoors. Lee Bonneau,6, was described to be a fun-loving boy who loved to be outdoors. (RCMP)

According to information obtained by the CBC, the young suspect is described as a troubled boy who was known to be "violent and unpredictable."


The CBC has also learned a weapon was used, but not what type of weapon.


The day of his death, Bonneau was at a community centre with his foster mother for Wednesday night bingo. She last saw him playing with a group of dogs outside, then he vanished.


After a 90-minute search, Bonneau was found with severe head injuries, and was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead.


He had been placed in foster care three weeks prior to his death.


The RCMP said Bonneau's biological mother described her son in a statement as "a fun-loving boy on his way to Grade 2, who had the deepest laugh and loved being outdoors."


Because the suspect is under the age of 12, even if he is found responsible for Bonneau's death, he cannot be found criminally responsible under Canada's Youth Criminal Justice Act.


The young suspect is currently in the care of social services.


When a child in this age group is found responsible, the justice system's involvement usually ends when social services takes over, said Sanjeev Anand, the dean of the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan and an expert on youth justice issues.


"Anyone 12 and over is caught by the, now, Youth Criminal Justice Act," said Anand. "But anyone less than 12 years of age, when they've allegedly committed an offence, has to be dealt with through some alternate means, usually through the social welfare system."


Anand said children in this situation often require a different kind of treatment, including psychological help.


If the young suspect is found responsible he could be one of the youngest killers in Canadian history.