Under section 13.5 of the Fatalities Investigations Act, the Minister of Justice and Public Safety is required, within 60 days after receiving a report from the Child Death Review Committee (CDRC), to make public those recommendations relating to:
- Relevant protocols, policies and procedures;
- Standards and legislation;
- Linkages and coordination of services; and
- Improvements to services affecting children and pregnant women.
The CDRC forwarded three reports to the Minister of Justice and Public Safety on December 3, 2020, that included recommendations. The reports examine the facts and circumstances surrounding deaths of children and youth in Newfoundland and Labrador that occurred between 2014 and 2020.
Case 1:
A youth died by suicide.
Recommendations:
- The Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development (CSSD) conduct a critical review of this child’s file and CSSD practices, to determine ways in which these outcomes may be prevented in future.
- This child’s full CSSD file be referred to the Child and Youth Advocate for her review and determination whether further investigation is warranted.
Case 2:
A youth died as a result of an accidental drug overdose.
Recommendation:
- CSSD conduct a critical review of this child’s file and CSSD practices, to determine ways in which these outcomes may be prevented in future.
- This child’s full CSSD file, as well as the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary file, be referred to the Child and Youth Advocate for her review and determination whether further investigation is warranted.
Case 3:
A youth died by suicide.
Recommendations:
- CSSD conduct a critical review of this child’s file and CSSD practices, to determine ways in which these outcomes may be prevented in future.
- This child’s full CSSD file be referred to the Child and Youth Advocate for her review and determination whether further investigation is warranted.
These reports have been forwarded to the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate.
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Media contact
Chrysta Collins
Justice and Public Safety
709-729-4839, 730-1568
chrystacollins@gov.nl.ca