Lawsuit: Edmonton Former Foster Child Sues Alberta Government

“A former foster child is suing the Alberta government for $2.4 million and claims they failed to provide her with promised therapy and hid her past history of sexual abuse from her adoptive family.

The woman’s biological family was investigated in 1999 because of allegations of neglect. In March 2000, she and her two younger brothers were removed from the home and placed into foster care.

Shortly after, the child told officials within the foster care system she had been sexually abused by several family members, including her parents. According to the statement of claim, her two brothers claimed there was inappropriate sexual contact among the siblings. In 2003, Child and Family Services received permanent guardianship of the girl.

The girl received two psychiatric assessments while in foster care. The first diagnosed her with Dissociative Identity Disorder, also known as Multiple Personality Disorder. A second psychologist concluded she would need therapy throughout her teenage years and require future monitoring and assessment.

Statements of claim contain allegations not proven in court.

In late 2004, the claim states, Child and Family Services hid the siblings abusive history from a central Alberta family who wanted to adopt all three.

That family was “assured that (the girl) and her brothers were relatively normal with no significant developmental or behavioural difficulties. The (adoptive family) were not informed about the possible history of sexual assault, or about the history of inappropriate sexual contact between the siblings.”

The adoptive family was told that the girl’s diagnosis of Dissociative Identity Disorder was false and she needed no “additional therapy or assistance.” The family adopted all three siblings.

The suit states that Child and Family Services knew the adoptive family did not want to take in children with mental or emotional problems because they already had a child with “significant physical and developmental concerns.”

The lack of disclosure to the adoptive family robbed them of the chance to decide if the adoption was right for them, the lawsuit states. Also, the family did not provide the psychological supports the girl needed because they were unaware of her past. She suffered without such support.

“The plaintiff continued to experience significant difficulties, including acting out in sexually inappropriate ways. She experienced difficulty in school, eventually dropping out of high school, having completed Grade 9.”

Once the adoptive family discovered the girl’s past, Child and Family Services agreed to provide her with counselling, even after she turned 18. The province later refused to provide that counselling.

“The conduct of the defendants was malicious, oppressive and high-handed, being a marked departure from ordinary standards of decent behaviour,” the claim reads.”

Former foster child sues Alberta government for $2.4 million[Edmonton Journal 6/3/14 By Ryan Courmier]

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