The manslaughter trial of Meggin Van Hoof has entered a critical phase as the court examines the physical evidence found at the scene and the shifting explanations provided by the accused following the 2015 death of 15-month-old Nathaniel McLellan.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Role of the Blue Wagon
Recent testimony has spotlighted a blue wagon used at the daycare. The wagon is a key piece of the “garage scene” reconstruction:
- The Routine: Witnesses confirmed the wagon was a standard fixture for transporting children at the home.
- The Conflict: The defense and prosecution are scrutinizing the movement of the wagon in the garage to determine if Nathaniel’s collapse—which Van Hoof claimed occurred on a garage landing—aligns with the physical space and the injuries sustained.
Key Evidence and Contradictions
The trial, which resumed in February 2026, has centered on three major points of contention:
| Evidence Type | Details Presented in Court |
| Forensic Photos | Images revealed abrasions to the face and head, fueling the Crown’s argument that the toddler suffered a non-accidental brain injury. |
| Shifting Stories | Investigators testified that the explanation for the injury changed from a “fall down the stairs” to a “fainting spell” or “collapse” in the garage. |
| Surreptitious Audio | The jury heard a secret recording made by Nathaniel’s father, where Van Hoof admitted she was being “guarded” in her speech due to the ongoing investigation. |
