REGINA — A Regina man on trial for killing a four-year-old girl and harming her two-year-old sister has testified he loved the girls and wanted nothing but the best for them.
Kevin Goforth says at first he was reluctant to take the children in, but his heart melted when he met them.The 40-year-old man described the girls as slender but beautiful.
Goforth and his 39-year-old wife, Tammy, are charged with second-degree murder and causing bodily harm.
Both girls were rushed to hospital in August 2012 and were found to be covered in bruises and suffering severe malnutrition.
The four-year-old died, while the younger girl recovered.
Goforth testified that supper time at the family home was important and the girls were always part of it.
He said the girls were both big eaters and neither he nor his wife denied them food.
Goforth also told the trial that the girls went to church with him and his wife on Sundays and were often taken to the park to play.
He said the girls did not always get along and often got into fights over toys.
Goforth told court the girls' speech development was very limited.