Pine Grove Correctional Facility. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Mischief

Woman who reported family murdered, receives 90 day sentence for mischief

Jan 11, 2025 | 9:00 AM

While serving a sentence at Pine Grove Correctional Institution, a woman placed over 30 calls to police, claiming her family members had either been kidnapped, killed or stabbed.

Those were the facts heard when Erin Whitefish was sentenced Friday morning at Prince Albert Provincial Court. A guilty plea was entered to mischief and Whitefish received 90 days for her crime.

Crown Prosecutor Gail Douglas noted the calls had occurred between September and December. And in an attempt to hide who was calling, Whitefish provided police with a false name.

“All of which were unfounded,” Douglas said, referring to the calls.

Whitefish’s actions would have tied up valuable police resources and Judge M.M. Baniak inquired if at any time did RCMP, knowing who was likely making the calls, try to intervene. To which Douglas noted RCMP had asked Pine Grove to restrict her phone privileges.

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“But Pine Grove refused,” she said.

Defence lawyer Tara Hetherington noted at the time of the phone calls, Whitefish was struggling with mental health issues, but has since stabilized and after her release plans to continue her education and become an addictions counselor.

This latest sentence will start after her previous sentence ends and it was noted Whitefish had been eligible for early release on Jan. 11.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell