The Ontario Court of Appeal has quashed a decades-old manslaughter conviction of a young mother they now say was wrongfully convicted for the “shaken-baby” death of her infant son.

Jennifer Gaskin broke into sobs after being granted an acquittal in a Toronto courtroom Tuesday morning.

To her right sat her mother, who Ms. Gaskin said has never doubted her innocence. On her left was her daughter, who was taken from her more than 20 years ago, and with whom she had only reunited for the first time Monday, on the eve of the hearing.

“I feel wonderful. I feel lighter. I feel like years and years have been taken off my life right now,” the now-51-year-old told reporters outside the courthouse Tuesday morning, following the hearing.

The Crown and defence had submitted jointly to the court that Ms. Gaskin’s conviction – for the death of her son Joeseph, in July, 1999 – should be overturned, and an acquittal entered in its place.