Fatality report rules boy’s death accidental

A public fatality inquiry has determined that a First Nations boy in government care died accidently on an overdose of methadone on Apr. 30, 2010. While Provincial Court of Alberta Judge K.E. Tjosvold presented no recommendations to prevent a similar occurrence, he did “urge representatives of Alberta Human Services to consider carefully the sincere suggestions made by members of K’s family and Ms. (Sandra) Potts, particularly as the suggestions relate to Aboriginal families involved with the child welfare system.” The 13-year-old boy, referred to as “K” in the report, was at a sleep-over at a friend’s near Spruce Grove, when he ingested the pills. K and his younger brother had been placed in a foster home in 2004 and were still there at the time of K’s death. K had the same social worker since 2006.  Tjosvold wrote that K had been “placed with a caring and responsible foster father” and that Alberta Human Services staff had taken “appropriate steps to deal with K’s circumstances.” K’s mother said she had improved her living situation but child welfare would not return her sons. K’s grandmother indicated “frustration” that the system did not prevent her grandson’s death. Potts, who spoke on behalf of K’s biological family, suggested that an Aboriginal advocate for children in care be appointed. The judge’s report was released earlier this month.