An Alberta judge is calling for better communication and cooperation between provinces after a tragic case of neglect resulted in the death of a Calgary teenager.
The 15-year-old girl, who cannot be named due to a publication ban, died in 2014 after being severely neglected by her parents. The case was brought to court in 2019, where her parents were found guilty of criminal negligence causing death.
During the trial, it was revealed that the girl had been living in deplorable conditions, with no access to food, water, or proper hygiene. She was also denied medical care for a serious infection, which ultimately led to her death.
In his ruling, Justice Paul Jeffrey emphasized the need for cross-boundary alerts to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. He noted that the girl’s death could have been prevented if authorities in British Columbia, where she had previously lived, had alerted Alberta child welfare agencies about her situation.
The girl had moved to Alberta with her family in 2013, but had previously been under the care of child welfare agencies in British Columbia. However, when her family moved, there was no communication between the two provinces, and her case was closed without any follow-up.
Justice Jeffrey stated that this lack of communication and coordination between provinces is a major issue that needs to be addressed. He urged for a system to be put in place where child welfare agencies can easily share information and work together to protect vulnerable children.
The judge also highlighted the importance of recognizing the signs of neglect and taking action before it’s too late. He stated that the girl’s death was a result of a “collective failure” by authorities to intervene and protect her.
The case has sparked calls for changes to the child welfare system in Alberta, with many advocating for a more proactive approach to identifying and addressing neglect. The province’s Minister of Children’s Services, Rebecca Schulz, has stated that they are committed to improving the system and preventing similar tragedies from occurring.
In the meantime, the judge’s ruling serves as a reminder of the importance of communication and collaboration between provinces in protecting vulnerable children. It is a tragic reminder that neglect can have deadly consequences and that it is everyone’s responsibility to speak up and take action when a child’s well-being is at risk.
