No Warranty
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The mother of a 4½-month-old Alberta infant who died six days after she was taken into government care is rejecting the allegations that led to the child's seizure.
"Somebody just can't come into your home and say you're unfit and take your baby away," the woman said Thursday in an interview with CBC News. She cannot be named under Alberta's Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act.
Two social workers and an RCMP officer went to the woman's central Alberta house on April 5. The woman's lawyer said they had an apprehension order for her roommate's children but also ended up taking the baby girl.
The child died six days later on April 11 after spending time in foster care.
"I took such good care of my little girl. I'm supposed to be the one protecting her and then these people come in there and just take her," her mother said.
An affidavit filed by social workers two days after the seizure alleged there was "disharmony in the house" and that the woman had a drinking problem.
"No, I do not," the woman said. "I am a social drinker."
She admits her roommate did have problems with alcohol but she no longer lives with her.
"I got rid of the problem as far as I was looking at it," she said.
Child and Youth Services Minister Yvonne Fritz is not commenting on the case beyond saying the government is reviewing the file. She says legislation prevents her from discussing specifics of the case.
Alberta NDP MLA Rachel Notley is calling on the province to change child protection laws so the minister is compelled to tell the public whenever a child dies or is seriously injured while under government care.
"The screen this government has put over this sector for years means that we've got a growing problem with respect to the safety of children who are in our care and that's not acceptable," she said.
Five children have died in government care so far this year, which is more than last year
"Somebody just can't come into your home and say you're unfit and take your baby away," the woman said Thursday in an interview with CBC News. She cannot be named under Alberta's Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act.
Two social workers and an RCMP officer went to the woman's central Alberta house on April 5. The woman's lawyer said they had an apprehension order for her roommate's children but also ended up taking the baby girl.
The child died six days later on April 11 after spending time in foster care.
"I took such good care of my little girl. I'm supposed to be the one protecting her and then these people come in there and just take her," her mother said.
An affidavit filed by social workers two days after the seizure alleged there was "disharmony in the house" and that the woman had a drinking problem.
"No, I do not," the woman said. "I am a social drinker."
She admits her roommate did have problems with alcohol but she no longer lives with her.
"I got rid of the problem as far as I was looking at it," she said.
Child and Youth Services Minister Yvonne Fritz is not commenting on the case beyond saying the government is reviewing the file. She says legislation prevents her from discussing specifics of the case.
Alberta NDP MLA Rachel Notley is calling on the province to change child protection laws so the minister is compelled to tell the public whenever a child dies or is seriously injured while under government care.
"The screen this government has put over this sector for years means that we've got a growing problem with respect to the safety of children who are in our care and that's not acceptable," she said.
Five children have died in government care so far this year, which is more than last year