Protection of Children in Care (May 9, 2011)
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Mr. Chase: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Fourteen-month-old Eliza-beth Velasquez had already suffered two broken legs when her desperate grandparents contacted police and Alberta Children and Youth Services in March of last year.
Some six weeks later para-medics rushed the toddler to Alberta Children’s hospital but were unable to revive her. The cause of death, we now know, was non-accidental asphyxiation. To the Minister of Children and Youth Services. Given that the police child abuse unit recommended that it do so, why did the department not take Elizabeth into protective custody before it was too late?
Mrs. Fritz: Well, Mr. Speaker, this is a very tragic situation, as the member has said to you. I did learn on Wednesday as well that the Calgary Police Service are investigating a toddler’s death, that was determined to be an accident a year ago, as a homicide. Given that the Calgary Police Service are investigating, you can understand that I cannot share all information about this case, but I can confirm to you, hon. member – you asked about the staff – that we were actively involved, the child and family services authority in Calgary, from March 15 to May 2, 2010. Given the seriousness of this new information, that I learned on Wednesday, I have put forward a number of initiatives to address the situation.
The Speaker: The hon. member.
Mr. Chase: Thank you. Again to the minister: why only now, when Elizabeth’s grandparents have gone public, has the depart-ment decided to launch an internal review into the mishandling of the case?
Mrs. Fritz: Well, as I indicated to you, I did learn about this on Wednesday. I have discussed it with the police service, the deputy chief responsible for the area, the chief of police, and others in the field. I have a number of initiatives, as I indicated to you. One is an external review of expert people on a panel, who will take the information from Health Services, Calgary Police Service, and our child and family services authority over that six-week period. They will take note of the police advice that is on the file, and they will make solid recommendations as to how we can learn from the tragedy. Once that review is completed, I can assure you, Mr. Speaker, it will be submitted to me, and it will become part of an overarching internal investigation.
The Speaker: The hon. member.
Mr. Chase: Thank you. My final question again to the minister: in the interests of transparency will the minister undertake to make this review public?
Mrs. Fritz: Well, Mr. Speaker, I can tell you also, though, that one of the initiatives is that I’ve directed each of our 10 regional authorities to complete a detailed review as well of all the detailed information that’s on active files for our children under the age of six who have experienced abuse or neglect.
Your question, that third question, about transparency is very important, and I want you to know that although I’ll be respecting the confidentiality of the child and the family and that this is an ongoing police investigation, lessons to be learned from this will be made public.
Alberta Hansard, May 9, 2011