Manitoba’s child advocate has pledged to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the severe injuries allegedly inflicted on a child by their foster mother. The child is currently in critical condition at a hospital in Winnipeg, while the 25-year-old foster mother has been charged with aggravated assault, assault, and failing to provide the necessary care.
Sherry Gott, Manitoba’s advocate for children and youth, expressed her sorrow over the situation involving the child and three other children from the same home. She expressed her hopes for the well-being of the affected children and emphasized the importance of their survival and recovery.
A 26-year-old man, identified as the foster father, also faces charges of failing to provide the necessary care, as announced by Winnipeg police. The incident came to light on September 19 when authorities responded to a residence in the Riverbend neighborhood in north Winnipeg following reports of a child with serious injuries.
The injured child was promptly taken to the hospital, along with three other children for medical assessment. Another child displayed signs of assault but was in stable condition. According to the Winnipeg Police Service’s child abuse unit, the critically injured child sustained injuries between September 17-18 and did not receive medical attention during that period.
While the foster mother is currently under custody, the father has been released under certain conditions. To protect the children’s identities, their ages and genders have not been disclosed by the police. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the child abuse unit at 204-986-3296.
Gott assured that her office receives reports of child injuries promptly and will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of this case. She highlighted the responsibility of foster parents in providing utmost care and support to children under their care.
Under the Child Welfare Act, agencies are required to check on children in care every 30 days, although Gott could not confirm whether this standard was met in this instance. She refrained from disclosing the agency involved due to confidentiality regulations and expressed concerns about the licensing requirements for foster homes.
Changes to the act implemented last year aimed at keeping more families together by enabling Child and Family Services (CFS) agencies to explore various support options, including kinship care arrangements. Gott emphasized the importance of ensuring that all requirements are met when placing vulnerable children with family members.
Minister Nahanni Fontaine declined to comment on the ongoing investigation, focusing instead on providing necessary support to the children and aiding the police in their inquiries. Fontaine emphasized the importance of ensuring the children’s well-being and assisting law enforcement with their investigation.
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