How Could You? Hall of Shame-Regina Foster 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 Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, a trial is underway in the death of a 3-year old boy, A.P.G. who “was a permanent ward of the Ministry when he was found dead in his crib at the foster home on Dec. 17, 2009. ”

“A pathologist has testified he died from a treatable chest infection. Much of the testimony has focused on the condition of the home where he and his sister were placed in June 2009, joining four other children already there.”

Social workers knew of unsanitary, unsafe conditions in the home in August of that year. By October, the house conditions had worsened, yet they approved the home to provide respite care for other foster homes.

Too little, too late: The house was given a fail by social workers on “Nov. 25 on a yearly safety check. The foster parents had six weeks to make changes, including locking up chemicals, putting batteries in a smoke detector and locking up tools, before Abbott was to visit again. The home passed after the boy’s death.”

Social Services Workers Raised Concerns About State of Pense Foster Home

[Leader-Post 1/27/11 by Barb Pacholik]

Update: The coroner’s jury ruled this a homicide on Friday January 28.

“The jury’s final recommendations include improving foster-home checks and closer monitoring by case workers and supervisors.

They also call for improved training for foster parents and ensuring that children with medical needs are placed in areas with adequate medical facilities.”

Three adopted children and one foster child remained in the home until March 2010 when conditions in the house were determined to be too deteriorated. The adopted children were allowed to return in August 2010.
Foster Child Death Sparks Call for Change
[Vancouver Sun 1/29/11 by Barb Pacholik and Karin Yeske]

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