How Could You? Hall of Shame-Cam Ouskan case-child death UPDATED

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Gillam, Manitoba, Canada, “Roderick Blacksmith, 32, will be tried for second-degree murder for the November 2008 death of Cam Ouskan.” Cam was 13 months old and was Roderick’s foster child. The court date will not be set until April 11, 2011.

Man to stand trial in foster child’s death

[Winnipeg Free Press 2/10/11]

REFORM Puzzle Pieces

Update: “A trial is getting closer for a northern Manitoba man accused of killing his young foster child.

Roderick Blacksmith, who is 33, is accused of second-degree murder in the death of 13-month-old Cam Ouskan at the family’s home in Gillam.

The child died shortly after being brought to hospital in November 2008.

The case began Monday morning with a voir dire — a hearing to determine what evidence can be presented at the trial.

The details of the hearing cannot be published under a court order.

It’s not yet clear when the trial itself will begin.”

Trial nears for Gillam man accused in foster child death

[CBC News 3/11/13]

Update 2:“A doctor’s testimony is raising questions about the timeline in Roderick Blacksmith’s second-degree murder trial.

He’s accused of killing his 13-month old foster son, Cameron Ouskan, back in November 2008.

Dr. Marc Del Bigio told court Tuesday he couldn’t be sure when the boy’s serious head injuries were sustained, only that it was between 15 and 72 hours before he died.

Court has heard the child had contact with plenty of other people during that time.

Blacksmith told police the baby had been put to bed and when he went back later to check on the child, the boy was unresponsive and his mouth was filled with vomit.

Blacksmith told police he called the hospital, and performed CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until help arrived.”

Trial told timeline of foster child’s death can’t be narrowed down[Brandon Sun 1/28/14 By The Canadian Press]

 Update 3: Roderick Blacksmith was acquitted.

“Simmonds told CBC the judge agreed with his argument that the Crown had put forward no evidence against his client in the child’s death, and the judge has acquitted Blacksmith.

Simmonds also said Sunday the case will be back in court on Wednesday and that the judge is considering having the crown pay the court costs in the case.

Cameron Ouskan died Nov. 12, 2008, after he was rushed to hospital in the small town of Gillam, then transferred to hospital in Thompson, where he died the following day.

Court heard during the trial that by the time the baby arrived at the hospital he was unresponsive and covered in vomit.

Police said an autopsy had determined that Ouskan’s death was a homicide.

Ouskan was in foster care in Gillam for 10 months before his death, his care overseen by Awasis, an aboriginal child and family services agency that serves 12 First Nations.”

Manitoba man acquitted in foster child’s death [cbc 2/2/14]