Chloe Guan-Branch, a Canadian girl who gained international attention when she was born on a flight to Japan in 2015, was tragically found dead in Ottawa in 2020 after enduring months of neglect and abuse. Her lifeless body was discovered in her soiled bed just after her fifth birthday, revealing shocking details of her mistreatment. Chloe suffered intense pain due to an abdominal injury, but her mother refused to seek medical help as the young girl was already covered in bruises. Her abuser, her mother’s ex-boyfriend Justin Cassie-Berube, was convicted of multiple charges related to her death, such as manslaughter and failing to provide the necessaries of life.
The details of Chloe’s case had been under a publication ban until recently when the ban was lifted following a legal battle. Chloe’s birth on a flight on Mother’s Day in 2015 had made headlines, with her mother Ada Guan and father Wes Branch receiving media attention. Chloe was placed in the care of the Children’s Aid Society shortly after her birth due to concerns about her parents’ relationship, leading to her living with her mother and Cassie-Berube in Ottawa. The court documents revealed that Cassie-Berube was manipulative and abusive, threatening self-harm if Guan ever left him.
Neighbors began noticing bruises on Chloe’s body in August 2019, leading to concerns about her well-being. Guan sent text messages to Cassie-Berube, pleading for him not to harm Chloe’s face, indicating a pattern of abuse. Testimonies revealed the disturbing acts of violence Chloe endured during her 15-month relationship with Cassie-Berube, including physical abuse and neglect. The COVID-19 pandemic further isolated Chloe, worsening the abuse she faced. Despite suffering a ruptured bladder, Chloe was never taken for medical treatment by her caregivers, resulting in her tragic death on May 15, 2020.
Chloe’s cause of death was determined to be acute uremia, triggered by blunt force trauma to her bladder. Medical examinations revealed a shocking number of bruises and injuries on her body that were clearly not from minor accidents, including healed rib fractures and possible cigarette burns. Cassie-Berube admitted to violently beating Chloe, but tried to downplay his role in her death during his conviction. The judge deemed him untruthful in his statements and scheduled his sentencing for May 24. The court documents painted a heartbreaking picture of a young girl who suffered unimaginable pain and neglect at the hands of those meant to care for her.
The lifting of the publication ban allowed the public to learn the disturbing details of Chloe’s life and death, shedding light on the need for improved child protection measures and awareness. Chloe’s story serves as a tragic reminder of the reality of child abuse and neglect, highlighting the devastating consequences they can have. The case also raises questions about the role of various agencies and individuals involved in Chloe’s life, from child protection services to her caregivers. As the community grieves for Chloe, there is a collective call for justice and accountability in handling cases of child abuse to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
