Report Released into Baby Andy Case

Report Released into Baby Andy Case

Wednesday, July 09, 2003 at 15:49

 

 

 

The minister responsible for child welfare in this province is accepting responsibility for an incident that saw the severe beating of an Aboriginal toddler that had been removed from foster care.

 

Glenn Hagel says his office is ultimately to blame for the tragic episode.

 

A 34-page report into the case of Baby Andy was released today and assigned blame to both the provincial government and the Montreal Lake Child and Family Services agency.

 

A review panel looking into the incident has concluded there wasn’t a proper risk assessment done before the child was returned to his birth mother.

 

The report calls for improvements in a number of areas, including better communication between the band-run agency and the department of Community Resources and Employment. It also recommends changes in case management practices, improved accountability mechanisms and stronger government supports at all levels, including the federal government.

 

The provincial government says it is establishing a new First Nations Unit to oversee the implementation of the report’s recommendations.

 

Hagel says it’s critical that children and families living on Saskatchewan reserves receive the same level of services as those living off reserve.