OCYA report underscores impact of poverty on children, families

Two new investigate reports issued from the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate focus on two children, one of whom is a First Nations girl, who suffered serious injuries while in government care. The girl, dubbed Bonita, was in the care of her parents and her family was receiving services from Child Intervention Services. She was taken to hospital suffering from septic shock caused by severe, untreated dental abscesses. She underwent a number of surgeries and required trauma counselling. Bonita is now in kinship care and has contact with her family. “Bonita’s circumstances have illuminated the significant issues of poverty and neglect that many children and families struggle with. I believe that by telling Bonita’s story and acting on the recommendations that are in this report, child-serving systems can and must do better,” said OCYA Del Graff, in a news release.