Paralyzed foster girl has system under a microscope

An internal probe by Manitoba’s Families Department is nearing completion in the case of a six-year-old girl paralyzed after being assaulted by her foster mother in Winnipeg. The investigation aims to prevent similar incidents, though the public will likely not receive the findings or recommendations. Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine stated that the department is working closely with the authority to ensure all recommendations are seriously considered and implemented.

Fontaine assured the public that steps will be taken to prevent such tragedies from occurring again, though she could not disclose the specific findings due to legal restrictions. The girl’s foster mother, Marilyn Keno, 26, admitted to one count of aggravated assault after throwing the child to the floor multiple times following a medication refusal.

Keno waited over a day before seeking medical help for the girl’s injuries, which included a broken neck. Three other children were removed from the home, owned by Island Lake First Nations Family Services, a First Nations agency. The province’s child welfare system is under scrutiny following the incident, and a similar death of a four-year-old girl at a Long Plain First Nation home is under investigation, with RCMP deeming the death suspicious.

The girl’s sisters, aged one and two, along with the mother, were hospitalized with injuries. The mother expressed her desire to have her children returned to her care after noticing bruises and malnourishment during a visit in February, but claims her concerns were ignored. She hopes for an update on the RCMP investigation soon.

The mother emphasized her hope to understand the reasons behind the ongoing deaths of vulnerable children in the system and called for public reviews to evaluate the system more thoroughly. However, critics argue that such reviews may not instill the necessary confidence in the system, as parents and families must be listened to when raising concerns.

Fontaine acknowledged the ongoing investigation and reiterated the department's commitment to ensuring children's safety and providing them with the necessary resources and services.