Report from the Saskatchewan Advocate for Children and Youth: Two Tragedies: Holding Systems Accountable
The Saskatchewan Advocate for Children and Youth released an investigative report into the death of a six-year-old boy on the Kahkewistahaw First Nation. The report refers to the boy as "Sam" but news accounts from the time identified him as Lee Allan Bonneau. He died from blunt force trauma on August 21, 2013, and authorities said a 10-year-old boy, referred to as "Derek," was to blame. The child welfare system failed both children, the report said. Bonneau was living in a foster home under the care of the province's social service agency and the alleged killer was being overseen by a tribal welfare agency. "No child deserves to have their life ended as Sam's did," the report said. "At the same time, no child deserves to have his needs ignored as Derek’s were." The alleged killer's behaviors in and out of school raised issues that could have been addressed, the report said. He was never charged for the murder of the boy due to his age but he remains under supervised care. Get the Story:
Yorkton Tribal Council defends handling of boy suspected in killing (CBC 5/15)
"It's a disaster: A child died and another life is changed forever" (The Regina Leader-Post 5/15)
Welfare system failed two children, advocate say (The Saskatoon StarPhoenix 5/15)
Death of Lee Bonneau, 6, allegedly at hands of boy, 10, was avoidable, report says (CBC 5/14)
Advocate says boy, 10, suspected in death of six-year-old needed supervision (CP 5/14) An Opinion:
Editorial: Tragedy heaped upon tragedy (The Regina Leader-Post 5/15) Relevant Documents:
Press Release: Advocate for Children and Youth Releases Report into Child Death | Report: Two Tragedies: Holding Systems Accountable
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