Boy suspected in death of child had known behavioural issues

The children's advocate has made 18 recommendations to the Yorkton Tribal Council Child and Family Services related to a 10-year-old boy, who is a suspect in the beating death of a six-year-old. In the report, “Derek,” as the older boy is referred to, was left unsupervised despite nine child protection concerns reported to the local CFS. The school and the RCMP had alerted the agency to Derek’s behavioural issues. Derek is suspected in the death of Lee Bonneau, who was found injured in a wooded area not far from the Kahkewistahaw First Nation community centre where he was last seen walking with Derek outside the reserve's recreation complex. Lee died in hospital from head injuries that police say were consistent with an assault. Among its recommendations, Children’s Advocate Bob Pringle said that the Ministry of Social Services immediately strengthen its oversight of the YTCCFS. “Mr. Pringle's report may speak to some of the gaps in our system. My role is to actually look at the accuracy and the inaccuracy of what is mentioned in the report, understanding that we have multiple systems of care for children and families that we work with, including the Ministry of Social Services and band resources, education, health and also professional services,” said Raymond Shingoose, director of the Yorkton Tribal Council Child and Family Services. Shingoose said that more resources are needed. Derek, who is too young to be charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act,  is in care now and will likely require close supervision for many years to come.