Saskatchewan’s advocate for children and youth plans to look into an incident at a Saskatoon group home for children, after a boy was found wandering naked near a north end coffee chain this month.
“I am deeply concerned about this situation and will be looking into the matter,” said Lisa Broda in a statement.
On June 2, police said the non-verbal and cognitively delayed child was discovered by staff at a Tim Hortons in Lawson Heights.
He had climbed out his bedroom window before sunrise and walked on his own to the mall parking lot. It was more than three hours later before staff realized he was missing.
The operator of the group home, CBI Health Group declined to comment on the incident, but an employee told 650 CKOM the company was aware the boy was a running risk for months, but ignored concerns raised by staff and calls for better safety measures.
“While a collaborative approach between the Ministry of Social Services and the agency providing the group home services is good, ultimately the Ministry of Social Services is responsible to ensure a high quality of care is being provided to the children in these resources,” said Broda.
The Ministry of Social Services said last week it doesn’t comment on specific cases, however, policies and procedures are in place to investigate claims and ensure children are safe.
Broda said they need a better understanding of what happened in this specific case.
“Generally speaking, it is crucial that the supports provided be commensurate with the needs of the child/children in each home. This is not only critical for their safety, it is imperative to ensure their rights and well-being are held to the highest standard.”
According to a staff member, the child was returned to the home the same day and placed under temporary 24-hour supervision.