FLIN FLON, Manitoba – In a tragic case that has left a community reeling, Robert Alexander Bear was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 13 years for the “heinous” murder of 10-month-old Chase Pearl McCallum-Fleury. The baby was found in medical distress at her home in the northern Manitoba city of Flin Flon on August 11, 2020, while her mother, Charity Fleury, was at work. During the sentencing, Charity Fleury described the “unimaginable horror” of her daughter’s murder by a man she trusted to care for the infant.
Bear, who was Fleury’s boyfriend at the time, had volunteered to watch the baby after Fleury’s child-care plans fell through shortly before she returned to work. The situation turned tragic when Chase died due to severe blunt-force trauma to the head, and Bear was convicted of second-degree murder on July 7, 2023.
The presiding judge, Court of King’s Bench Justice Sheldon Lanchbery, raised the minimum time before Bear can apply for parole to 13 years, citing the heinous nature of the act and the lack of any reasonable explanation for the fatal injury that occurred while Bear was alone with the baby.
Despite the conviction, no evidence or explanation ever emerged about exactly how the fatal injury happened or why. This left an ongoing sense of pain and uncertainty for the family of the victim, as her mother, grandparents, and great-grandmother spoke at Bear’s sentencing, describing the emotional impact of Chase’s death and the tremendous pain they have endured.
Despite the tragic outcome, Bear’s defense lawyer pointed out that there were no factors that might have provided context for the killing, such as addictions, mental illness, or a troubled childhood, and that a pre-sentence report deemed him a low risk to reoffend. Bear himself expressed remorse and apologized for his actions.
In conclusion, the sentencing delivered justice for the heartbreaking case of Chase Pearl McCallum-Fleury’s murder, but it also left many questions unanswered about the circumstances surrounding the tragic event. The impact of this loss will be long-standing for both families involved, and the community continues to grapple with the aftermath of this devastating incident.