A three-year-old Native girl who died in foster care was the victim of homicide, a coroner's jury in British Columbia ruled on Saturday.
Savannah Hall died in January 2001. She suffered from massive brain swelling, hypothermia and multiple bruises but her foster mother testified that she couldn't remember key details about the days leading up to Savannah's death.
The jury determined Savannah died due to suffocation. Savannah's natural mother, Corrina Hall, said she was pleased with the verdict.
"It was hard for me and the family," Savannah's natural mother, Corrina Hall, told CBC News. "We all hung on with one another and we kept each other strong."
A coroner's jury does not find criminal responsibility. The case into Savannah's death is still open but a Royal Canadian Mounted Police sergeant said there wasn't enough evidence to charge anyone with homicide.
Get the Story:Coroner's inquest rules death of girl, 3, a homicide (The Vancouver Sun 11/5)
Jury urges increased foster-care oversight (CP 11/5)
Mother of dead foster child pleased with coroner's jury's homicide ruling (CanWest News Service 11/5)
Savannah Hall's death in foster care was homicide, inquest rules (CBC 11/4)
Full Recommendations by Savannah Hall Jury (The Prince George Citizen 11/4)
Police investigation of Savannah's death still open (CBC 11/2)
Foster mother testifies she can't remember 'timelines' surrounding child's death (CBC 11/2)
