HomeCANADA • Sarvia Elizabeth VELASQUEZ, 14 months old ~ Calgary AB
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CANADA • Sarvia Elizabeth VELASQUEZ, 14 months old ~ Calgary AB
by karma Fri May 06, 2011 3:04 am
Sarvia Elizabeth Velasquez, 14-months-old (2010)
May 4, 2011 - The Calgary Police Service and Office of the Chief Medical Examiner have classified the 2010 death of a local toddler as a homicide.
In the early morning hours of Sunday, May 2, 2010, police attended a home in the 900 block of 44 Street S.E., for reports of a 14-month-old girl in medical distress.
The child, Sarvia Elizabeth VELASQUEZ, was transported to the Alberta Children’s Hospital where further attempts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful.
An autopsy conducted the next day by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner was inconclusive and further tests were needed to determine what caused Sarvia’s death. The cause of death investigation was assisted by members of the CPS Homicide Unit and Forensic Crimes Scenes Unit.
In an autopsy report released to investigators in December 2010, the cause of death was identified as asphyxia and found to be non-accidental. The manner of death has now been classified as a homicide.
The Homicide Unit has been involved in this death investigation since the beginning and will continue to pursue a resolution to this tragic event.
karma- Supreme Commander of the Universe With Cape AND Tights AND Fancy Headgear
Re: CANADA • Sarvia Elizabeth VELASQUEZ, 14 months old ~ Calgary AB
by karma Fri May 06, 2011 3:12 am
Grandparents of dead Calgary baby raise questions about handling of her case
May 5, 2011
The grandparents of a 14-month-old murder victim are asking why social services did not remove a child that appeared neglected and injured after they lodged a complaint.
Police announced Wednesday that Sarvia Elizabeth Velasquez, who went by Elizabeth, died of asphyxiation and was the victim of foul play on May 2, 2010.
But in March of that year her paternal grandparents and a friend said they began noticing concerning signs in their weekly visits: rashes that suggested her diapers weren’t changed, becoming fearful of strangers and crying because she was in pain.
“She started crying, was agitated and completely off. . . . We knew that something was wrong with her, but we didn’t know what was going on,” said the grandparents’ friend Alaida Rubio.
“You couldn’t touch her because she was crying. She would be very agitated and very uneasy.”
At the hospital, they learned she had two broken legs.
Worried for Elizabeth’s well-being, Rubio called Crime Stoppers and her grandparents, Bruce and Francisca Anderson, called social services.
They were told the call was being treated as an emergency, but say the child was not removed from the home.
At 4 a.m. on May 2 they got the call saying she was in hospital and had died.
“This is our worst nightmare come true,” said Bruce.
All three say they believe the death would have been prevented if social services had removed the baby.
“Had Elizabeth been taken away, she would be alive,” said Bruce. “Put it this way, if she would have been in this house, she wouldn’t have been murdered.”
Children and Youth Services Minister Yvonne Fritz said an investigation began immediately after the call and involved police, medical professionals and the family.
“My staff were actively investigating the concerns that were raised,” said Fritz. “That began immediately after the call was received from the grandparents.”
The file was never closed, she said.
Fritz said the department is now undertaking a review of how the case was handled.
After the child’s death, an autopsy was performed and was inconclusive, police said, requiring further testing to determine the cause of death.
Along with the medical examiner, Calgary police homicide detectives and crime scene specialists continued to probe the child’s death.
In December 2010 an autopsy report concluded Elizabeth died of asphyxiation, and that it wasn’t an accident.
Continued investigation resulted in authorities recently classifying the case as a homicide, nearly a year later.
“The medical examination of a toddler or an infant is much more complicated than it is for an adult,” Miller said.
No one has been charged in connection with Elizabeth’s death.
“We’re working with everyone in the family,” said Miller, adding Elizabeth’s mother and the boyfriend have not been ruled out as suspects.
So far, they have been co-operating with police, Miller said.
Elizabeth’s biological father was involved in raising her, but Miller said he wasn’t at the home when police and paramedics were called.
The grandparents remain devastated at the loss of the little girl who loved to dress up.
“She was my princess,” said Francisca.
Added Bruce: “She was totally well-behaved, the most loving little girl you could ever hope to meet. She was an angel.”
The grandparents said they are speaking up for a little girl who cannot speak up for herself.
They called her killer a “monster.”
“I don’t want to stop until we find the killer,” said Francisca.
http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/energy-resources/Grandparents+dead+Calgary+baby+raise+questions+about+handling+case/4725535/story.html
May 5, 2011
The grandparents of a 14-month-old murder victim are asking why social services did not remove a child that appeared neglected and injured after they lodged a complaint.
Police announced Wednesday that Sarvia Elizabeth Velasquez, who went by Elizabeth, died of asphyxiation and was the victim of foul play on May 2, 2010.
But in March of that year her paternal grandparents and a friend said they began noticing concerning signs in their weekly visits: rashes that suggested her diapers weren’t changed, becoming fearful of strangers and crying because she was in pain.
“She started crying, was agitated and completely off. . . . We knew that something was wrong with her, but we didn’t know what was going on,” said the grandparents’ friend Alaida Rubio.
“You couldn’t touch her because she was crying. She would be very agitated and very uneasy.”
At the hospital, they learned she had two broken legs.
Worried for Elizabeth’s well-being, Rubio called Crime Stoppers and her grandparents, Bruce and Francisca Anderson, called social services.
They were told the call was being treated as an emergency, but say the child was not removed from the home.
At 4 a.m. on May 2 they got the call saying she was in hospital and had died.
“This is our worst nightmare come true,” said Bruce.
All three say they believe the death would have been prevented if social services had removed the baby.
“Had Elizabeth been taken away, she would be alive,” said Bruce. “Put it this way, if she would have been in this house, she wouldn’t have been murdered.”
Children and Youth Services Minister Yvonne Fritz said an investigation began immediately after the call and involved police, medical professionals and the family.
“My staff were actively investigating the concerns that were raised,” said Fritz. “That began immediately after the call was received from the grandparents.”
The file was never closed, she said.
Fritz said the department is now undertaking a review of how the case was handled.
After the child’s death, an autopsy was performed and was inconclusive, police said, requiring further testing to determine the cause of death.
Along with the medical examiner, Calgary police homicide detectives and crime scene specialists continued to probe the child’s death.
In December 2010 an autopsy report concluded Elizabeth died of asphyxiation, and that it wasn’t an accident.
Continued investigation resulted in authorities recently classifying the case as a homicide, nearly a year later.
“The medical examination of a toddler or an infant is much more complicated than it is for an adult,” Miller said.
No one has been charged in connection with Elizabeth’s death.
“We’re working with everyone in the family,” said Miller, adding Elizabeth’s mother and the boyfriend have not been ruled out as suspects.
So far, they have been co-operating with police, Miller said.
Elizabeth’s biological father was involved in raising her, but Miller said he wasn’t at the home when police and paramedics were called.
The grandparents remain devastated at the loss of the little girl who loved to dress up.
“She was my princess,” said Francisca.
Added Bruce: “She was totally well-behaved, the most loving little girl you could ever hope to meet. She was an angel.”
The grandparents said they are speaking up for a little girl who cannot speak up for herself.
They called her killer a “monster.”
“I don’t want to stop until we find the killer,” said Francisca.
http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/energy-resources/Grandparents+dead+Calgary+baby+raise+questions+about+handling+case/4725535/story.html
karma- Supreme Commander of the Universe With Cape AND Tights AND Fancy Headgear
Re: CANADA • Sarvia Elizabeth VELASQUEZ, 14 months old ~ Calgary AB
by karma Fri May 06, 2011 3:15 am
Father of murdered toddler speaks out
May 5, 2011
The father of a murdered Calgary toddler is speaking out about his daughter’s death.
14-month-old Elizabeth Velasquez died in May of 2010 but it wasn’t until this week that police declared her death a homicide.
Police say Elizabeth was in the care of her mother and her boyfriend at the time of her death.
Elizabeth’s father says he was shocked to hear the latest developments in his daughter’s death.
“I am the father. I saw her on Friday and Sunday – she’s dead. I told her if you would have given her to me that Friday she would be alive right now.”
Now, he wants answers.
“I don’t think no one can hurt a baby... why you know?”
He says Elizabeth’s mother would rarely let him see her because she had a new boyfriend.
“I tried to be in her life but they didn’t let me.”
Elizabeth’s grandparents had called Child and Youth Services to report suspicions of neglect after the baby suffered two broken legs.
“When my mom called they should have done something. She had two broken legs so why didn’t they remove her? There are a lot of problems going on in that house.”
The ministry confirms it was investigating but Elizabeth was never removed from the home. An official internal review has now been launched into Elizabeth’s death.
Elizabeth’s father knows nothing can bring back his daughter but he hoping the murderer will be caught.
Police have made no arrests in the case.
http://www.globaltvbc.com/Father+murdered+toddler+speaks/4735340/story.html
May 5, 2011
The father of a murdered Calgary toddler is speaking out about his daughter’s death.
14-month-old Elizabeth Velasquez died in May of 2010 but it wasn’t until this week that police declared her death a homicide.
Police say Elizabeth was in the care of her mother and her boyfriend at the time of her death.
Elizabeth’s father says he was shocked to hear the latest developments in his daughter’s death.
“I am the father. I saw her on Friday and Sunday – she’s dead. I told her if you would have given her to me that Friday she would be alive right now.”
Now, he wants answers.
“I don’t think no one can hurt a baby... why you know?”
He says Elizabeth’s mother would rarely let him see her because she had a new boyfriend.
“I tried to be in her life but they didn’t let me.”
Elizabeth’s grandparents had called Child and Youth Services to report suspicions of neglect after the baby suffered two broken legs.
“When my mom called they should have done something. She had two broken legs so why didn’t they remove her? There are a lot of problems going on in that house.”
The ministry confirms it was investigating but Elizabeth was never removed from the home. An official internal review has now been launched into Elizabeth’s death.
Elizabeth’s father knows nothing can bring back his daughter but he hoping the murderer will be caught.
Police have made no arrests in the case.
http://www.globaltvbc.com/Father+murdered+toddler+speaks/4735340/story.html
karma- Supreme Commander of the Universe With Cape AND Tights AND Fancy Headgear
Re: CANADA • Sarvia Elizabeth VELASQUEZ, 14 months old ~ Calgary AB
by karma Fri May 06, 2011 1:30 pm
Grandparents question why murdered toddler wasn't removed following complaint
karma- Supreme Commander of the Universe With Cape AND Tights AND Fancy Headgear
Re: CANADA • Sarvia Elizabeth VELASQUEZ, 14 months old ~ Calgary AB
by karma Sat May 07, 2011 7:57 am
Calgary children seized from the home of murdered toddler’s biological mother
May 6, 2011
This is an undated photo of Elizabeth Velasquez who died in May of 2010.
Investigators have found she died of asphyxiation and was the victim of foul play.
Global News has learned three children have been seized by the province after the murder of a Calgary toddler was confirmed this week.
14-month-old Elizabeth Velasquez was killed in May 2010 but police did not rule her death a homicide until Wednesday.
Elizabeth died from asphyxiation and foul play. Elizabeth's grandparents say her behaviour had changed and she was crying in pain, so they took her to the hospital where she was diagnosed with two broken legs. Her grandparents phoned social workers, but Elizabeth was not taken from her home.
Sources say the three other children living with Velasquez’s biological mother were taken from the home on Thursday.
Meanwhile, revelations are also surfacing indicating that Calgary Police Services asked the province to take Elizabeth out of her home before she was killed.
The girl’s grandparents say that didn’t happen because provincial officials wanted to keep the family together.
The province will not discuss the case due to privacy issues but says Child and Youth Services are doing an internal review on how her case was handled.
No one has been arrested in connection to Elizabeth’s murder.
http://www.globaltvbc.com/Calgary+children+seized+from+home+murdered+toddler+biological+mother/4742292/story.html
May 6, 2011
This is an undated photo of Elizabeth Velasquez who died in May of 2010.
Investigators have found she died of asphyxiation and was the victim of foul play.
Global News has learned three children have been seized by the province after the murder of a Calgary toddler was confirmed this week.
14-month-old Elizabeth Velasquez was killed in May 2010 but police did not rule her death a homicide until Wednesday.
Elizabeth died from asphyxiation and foul play. Elizabeth's grandparents say her behaviour had changed and she was crying in pain, so they took her to the hospital where she was diagnosed with two broken legs. Her grandparents phoned social workers, but Elizabeth was not taken from her home.
Sources say the three other children living with Velasquez’s biological mother were taken from the home on Thursday.
Meanwhile, revelations are also surfacing indicating that Calgary Police Services asked the province to take Elizabeth out of her home before she was killed.
The girl’s grandparents say that didn’t happen because provincial officials wanted to keep the family together.
The province will not discuss the case due to privacy issues but says Child and Youth Services are doing an internal review on how her case was handled.
No one has been arrested in connection to Elizabeth’s murder.
http://www.globaltvbc.com/Calgary+children+seized+from+home+murdered+toddler+biological+mother/4742292/story.html
karma- Supreme Commander of the Universe With Cape AND Tights AND Fancy Headgear
Re: CANADA • Sarvia Elizabeth VELASQUEZ, 14 months old ~ Calgary AB
by karma Sat May 07, 2011 8:10 am
Time for child-welfare workers to step up
Bruce and Francisca Anderson flip through pictures of their murdered granddaughter Sarvia Elizabeth Velasquez while speaking to media in Calgary on Wednesday May 4, 2011. Velasquez died on May 2, 2010. Although her death was just recently called a homicide, no charges have yet been laid.
City police contacted social services with their fears about a toddler who was murdered a short time later, the Sun has learned.
With a toddler’s grandparents sounding the alarm, police got on board and urged child-welfare officials to apprehend Sarvia ‘Elizabeth’ Velasquez given fears she was in danger, sources said.
Weeks later, the 14-month-old was dead — her case now deemed a homicide and subject to a review by children’s services on how it was handled. Police have not laid charges, saying the child was with her mother and the woman’s boyfriend at the time — neither ruled out as suspects.
The question yet to be answered is what actions did child-welfare workers take to protect Elizabeth.
The tot’s grieving grandparents said they contacted them weeks before her death and fear little was done — because if enough had been, she would still be here.
The province confirmed getting a call from the grandparents and this week launched the review. Citing privacy concerns, they elaborated very little. And that, charges NDP MLA Rachel Notley, is simply another example of a ministry with a penchant of hiding behind privacy laws.
She said that deprives the public a chance to hold it accountable and ensure anytime mistakes are made, lessons are learned — if not for children lost but those who still might see protection.
“Oh, yay, they are doing another review,” Notley said.
“Is (the minister, Yvonne Fritz) going to commit to make it public?”
Sources said there was evidence Elizabeth suffered neglect and broken bones, including in both legs and an arm. Officially, she died of asphyxia — which can be caused by smothering or strangling — but her grieving grandparents wonder whether or not the little girl had to die at all. Child-welfare workers work closely with police but they are deemed to be experts in what is best for a child.
READ MORE
Bruce and Francisca Anderson flip through pictures of their murdered granddaughter Sarvia Elizabeth Velasquez while speaking to media in Calgary on Wednesday May 4, 2011. Velasquez died on May 2, 2010. Although her death was just recently called a homicide, no charges have yet been laid.
City police contacted social services with their fears about a toddler who was murdered a short time later, the Sun has learned.
With a toddler’s grandparents sounding the alarm, police got on board and urged child-welfare officials to apprehend Sarvia ‘Elizabeth’ Velasquez given fears she was in danger, sources said.
Weeks later, the 14-month-old was dead — her case now deemed a homicide and subject to a review by children’s services on how it was handled. Police have not laid charges, saying the child was with her mother and the woman’s boyfriend at the time — neither ruled out as suspects.
The question yet to be answered is what actions did child-welfare workers take to protect Elizabeth.
The tot’s grieving grandparents said they contacted them weeks before her death and fear little was done — because if enough had been, she would still be here.
The province confirmed getting a call from the grandparents and this week launched the review. Citing privacy concerns, they elaborated very little. And that, charges NDP MLA Rachel Notley, is simply another example of a ministry with a penchant of hiding behind privacy laws.
She said that deprives the public a chance to hold it accountable and ensure anytime mistakes are made, lessons are learned — if not for children lost but those who still might see protection.
“Oh, yay, they are doing another review,” Notley said.
“Is (the minister, Yvonne Fritz) going to commit to make it public?”
Sources said there was evidence Elizabeth suffered neglect and broken bones, including in both legs and an arm. Officially, she died of asphyxia — which can be caused by smothering or strangling — but her grieving grandparents wonder whether or not the little girl had to die at all. Child-welfare workers work closely with police but they are deemed to be experts in what is best for a child.
READ MORE
karma- Supreme Commander of the Universe With Cape AND Tights AND Fancy Headgear
Re: CANADA • Sarvia Elizabeth VELASQUEZ, 14 months old ~ Calgary AB
by karma Sun May 15, 2011 1:06 am
Grandparents applaud probe into tot's death
May 14, 2011
Elizabeth Velasquez
While officials “dropped the ball,” in safeguarding their grandchild, a Calgary couple applaud a provincial minister for probing her homicide.
Child and Youth Services Minister Yvonne Fritz is putting together a five-person panel to look in to how child-welfare workers handled the case of Elizabeth Velasquez.
The 14-month-old died May 2, 2010 but it wasn’t until this May police garnered evidence to conclude the child was killed.
Her grandparents, Bruce Anderson and wife, Francisca, said her death could have and should have been prevented.
“Nothing is going to bring Elizabeth back,” her grandfather said.
“The minister is acting fast, yes, we’re happy and hopefully this will prevent some disaster from happening like this in future.”
Weeks earlier, they phoned child-welfare officials about Elizabeth, a typically happy child, who became agitated and had suffered two broken legs.
They said they were told the case was a priority but never heard back from officials.
Weeks later their grandchild was rushed from a southeast home with critical injuries.
Police said she was there with her mom and mom’s boyfriend, both of whom are not ruled out as suspects.
Already tasking staff to do an internal review, Fritz has now called for an independent panel of health, legal and social service experts to do one, too.
“The information we’ve received from Calgary police is completely different than what we were aware of a year ago,” Fritz said in Calgary on Saturday.
“With new information and knowing it is being investigated ... as a homicide, it’s really important we have a very quick understanding of what’s occurred.”
Bruce Anderson said he hopes he case is a watershed for the Fritz’s department.
“This has got to be a wake-up call for social services, things have got to change.
The review will take about six weeks with findings, as long as they don’t jeopardize the homicide investigation, made public, Fritz said.
http://www.calgarysun.com/2011/05/14/grandparents-applaud-probe-into-tots-death
May 14, 2011
Elizabeth Velasquez
While officials “dropped the ball,” in safeguarding their grandchild, a Calgary couple applaud a provincial minister for probing her homicide.
Child and Youth Services Minister Yvonne Fritz is putting together a five-person panel to look in to how child-welfare workers handled the case of Elizabeth Velasquez.
The 14-month-old died May 2, 2010 but it wasn’t until this May police garnered evidence to conclude the child was killed.
Her grandparents, Bruce Anderson and wife, Francisca, said her death could have and should have been prevented.
“Nothing is going to bring Elizabeth back,” her grandfather said.
“The minister is acting fast, yes, we’re happy and hopefully this will prevent some disaster from happening like this in future.”
Weeks earlier, they phoned child-welfare officials about Elizabeth, a typically happy child, who became agitated and had suffered two broken legs.
They said they were told the case was a priority but never heard back from officials.
Weeks later their grandchild was rushed from a southeast home with critical injuries.
Police said she was there with her mom and mom’s boyfriend, both of whom are not ruled out as suspects.
Already tasking staff to do an internal review, Fritz has now called for an independent panel of health, legal and social service experts to do one, too.
“The information we’ve received from Calgary police is completely different than what we were aware of a year ago,” Fritz said in Calgary on Saturday.
“With new information and knowing it is being investigated ... as a homicide, it’s really important we have a very quick understanding of what’s occurred.”
Bruce Anderson said he hopes he case is a watershed for the Fritz’s department.
“This has got to be a wake-up call for social services, things have got to change.
The review will take about six weeks with findings, as long as they don’t jeopardize the homicide investigation, made public, Fritz said.
http://www.calgarysun.com/2011/05/14/grandparents-applaud-probe-into-tots-death
karma- Supreme Commander of the Universe With Cape AND Tights AND Fancy Headgear
Re: CANADA • Sarvia Elizabeth VELASQUEZ, 14 months old ~ Calgary AB
by karma Fri Aug 26, 2011 3:22 am
Delays, miscommunication and poor judgment blamed in case of deceased Calgary infant
August 25, 2011
Deficiencies, miscommunications and inadequate critical thinking are to blame for the death of a 14-month-old Calgary girl, according to a report revealed Thursday.
Elizabeth Velasquez was allegedly suffocated to death last year despite members of her family filing complaints with social services months before.
Elizabeth was transported to the Alberta Children’s Hospital in medical distress on May 2nd, 2010 after police and paramedics were called to a home in the 900 block of 44th Street S.E.
She died in hospital. An autopsy performed the next day was inconclusive.
Almost a year later, Calgary Police announced they were investigating her death as a homicide after an autopsy report released to investigators in December identified the cause of death as non-accidental asphyxia.
Police say Elizabeth was in the care of her biological mother and her boyfriend at the time of her death.
The girl’s paternal grandparents had lodged a complaint with social services in March of 2010 after the child appeared neglected; they said they began noticing concerning signs in their weekly visits including rashes, becoming fearful of strangers and crying because she was in pain.
Elizabeth had repeatedly appeared at the ACH over a period of 61 days prior to her death for a number of issues including broken legs, arms and an ear infection.
The girl waited two weeks for an assessment with a paediatric child abuse specialist at ACH. It took another two weeks to get results and confirm abuse.
“There wasn’t any one specific breakdown. It was a series of gaps and delays and miscommunications,” says Gayla Rogers, social work expert at the University of Calgary.
During a joint meeting between a child case worker, police and health officials, no one took notes and a paediatric report wasn’t handed out.
Once the abuse was confirmed, police repeatedly urged the case worker to remove the toddler form her mother’s home.
That didn’t happen and 19 days later she was suffocated to death.
“I think timeliness in access to care is something we’re going to examine a little bit deeper,” says Dr. Francois Belanger, Alberta Health Services.
“We have no learned that the way we speak and the way Child and Family Services speaks and Alberta Health Services – there’s maybe difference in how we speak or how we express our concerns. Perhaps we could have been more clear in expressing our concerns,” says Police Chief Rick Hanson.
Children and Youth Services Minister Yvonne Fritz ordered an external investigation into the matter.
On Thursday, Fritz released the results of that report which makes 11 recommendations including strengthening partnerships between police, health professionals, prosecutors and educators, community agencies and Children and Youth Services.
It also recommends the formation of an independent child and family services council which will have a legislated role in quality assurance and accountability through public reporting. The arms-length council will be notified of all deaths and serious injuries of children in the province’s care and will decide which incidents need to be independently reviewed.
The Ministry has allocated $1.5-million to support the council over the next three years.
Experts from the fields of public health, social work, law enforcement, child abuse and Child and Family Services worked on the review.
During the news conference, the minister defended her team of experts, bristling when asked if staff involved are being held accountable and if she will step down.
“I did not ask the panel to lay blame,” said Fritz.
http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/delays+miscommunication+and+poor+judgment+blamed+in+case+of+deceased+calgary+infant/6442470186/story.html
August 25, 2011
Deficiencies, miscommunications and inadequate critical thinking are to blame for the death of a 14-month-old Calgary girl, according to a report revealed Thursday.
Elizabeth Velasquez was allegedly suffocated to death last year despite members of her family filing complaints with social services months before.
Elizabeth was transported to the Alberta Children’s Hospital in medical distress on May 2nd, 2010 after police and paramedics were called to a home in the 900 block of 44th Street S.E.
She died in hospital. An autopsy performed the next day was inconclusive.
Almost a year later, Calgary Police announced they were investigating her death as a homicide after an autopsy report released to investigators in December identified the cause of death as non-accidental asphyxia.
Police say Elizabeth was in the care of her biological mother and her boyfriend at the time of her death.
The girl’s paternal grandparents had lodged a complaint with social services in March of 2010 after the child appeared neglected; they said they began noticing concerning signs in their weekly visits including rashes, becoming fearful of strangers and crying because she was in pain.
Elizabeth had repeatedly appeared at the ACH over a period of 61 days prior to her death for a number of issues including broken legs, arms and an ear infection.
The girl waited two weeks for an assessment with a paediatric child abuse specialist at ACH. It took another two weeks to get results and confirm abuse.
“There wasn’t any one specific breakdown. It was a series of gaps and delays and miscommunications,” says Gayla Rogers, social work expert at the University of Calgary.
During a joint meeting between a child case worker, police and health officials, no one took notes and a paediatric report wasn’t handed out.
Once the abuse was confirmed, police repeatedly urged the case worker to remove the toddler form her mother’s home.
That didn’t happen and 19 days later she was suffocated to death.
“I think timeliness in access to care is something we’re going to examine a little bit deeper,” says Dr. Francois Belanger, Alberta Health Services.
“We have no learned that the way we speak and the way Child and Family Services speaks and Alberta Health Services – there’s maybe difference in how we speak or how we express our concerns. Perhaps we could have been more clear in expressing our concerns,” says Police Chief Rick Hanson.
Children and Youth Services Minister Yvonne Fritz ordered an external investigation into the matter.
On Thursday, Fritz released the results of that report which makes 11 recommendations including strengthening partnerships between police, health professionals, prosecutors and educators, community agencies and Children and Youth Services.
It also recommends the formation of an independent child and family services council which will have a legislated role in quality assurance and accountability through public reporting. The arms-length council will be notified of all deaths and serious injuries of children in the province’s care and will decide which incidents need to be independently reviewed.
The Ministry has allocated $1.5-million to support the council over the next three years.
Experts from the fields of public health, social work, law enforcement, child abuse and Child and Family Services worked on the review.
During the news conference, the minister defended her team of experts, bristling when asked if staff involved are being held accountable and if she will step down.
“I did not ask the panel to lay blame,” said Fritz.
http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/delays+miscommunication+and+poor+judgment+blamed+in+case+of+deceased+calgary+infant/6442470186/story.html
karma- Supreme Commander of the Universe With Cape AND Tights AND Fancy Headgear
Re: CANADA • Sarvia Elizabeth VELASQUEZ, 14 months old ~ Calgary AB
by karma Fri Aug 26, 2011 3:24 am
Read the complete report at this link:
Findings of the External Expert Panel Regarding the Death of a Young Child
Findings of the External Expert Panel Regarding the Death of a Young Child
karma- Supreme Commander of the Universe With Cape AND Tights AND Fancy Headgear
Re: CANADA • Sarvia Elizabeth VELASQUEZ, 14 months old ~ Calgary AB
by karma Fri Aug 26, 2011 3:29 am
Child abuse death exposes government failings
August 25, 2011
Emotions ran high at a news conference where an expert panel revealed their findings into the death of a 14 month old Calgary girl. Child and Youth Services Minister Yvonne Fritz says deficiencies, miscommunications and inadequate critical thinking were to blame in the May 2010 murder of Elizabeth Velasquez. Her grandparents tried to grill the minister on the panel's findings during the news conference. Here are just some of those comments.
August 25, 2011
Emotions ran high at a news conference where an expert panel revealed their findings into the death of a 14 month old Calgary girl. Child and Youth Services Minister Yvonne Fritz says deficiencies, miscommunications and inadequate critical thinking were to blame in the May 2010 murder of Elizabeth Velasquez. Her grandparents tried to grill the minister on the panel's findings during the news conference. Here are just some of those comments.
karma- Supreme Commander of the Universe With Cape AND Tights AND Fancy Headgear
Re: CANADA • Sarvia Elizabeth VELASQUEZ, 14 months old ~ Calgary AB
by karma Sat Aug 27, 2011 2:20 am
Mother of murdered infant pregnant again claims ex-husband
August 26, 2011
There are more allegations that Children and Youth Services ignored warning signs of abuse in the case of baby Elizabeth Velasquez.
On Thursday, the Alberta Government released the results of a review into the death of baby Elizabeth Velasquez.
Children and Youth Services Minister Yvonne Fritz told media the report found there were miscommunication and poor judgement issues.
Elizabeth died on May 2nd, 2010 after being found in medical distress in a southeast Calgary home. An initial autopsy was inconclusive, however, a year later police revealed further tests showed the baby died of asphyxiation and ruled the death a homicide.
Elizabeth has appeared at the Alberta Children’s Hospital several times over a period of 61 days prior to her death for a number of ailments including broken arms and legs.
Her paternal grandparents had contacted social services several times asking for the child to be removed from the home.
On Friday, Sarvia’s ex-husband told Global News he too had called officials warning them of abuse.
“It’s a surprise for me that child welfare, with the first broken leg, didn’t take her after everyone was calling.”
The man does not want to be identified but says he was very active in Elizabeth’s life.
“I called child welfare many times. They have to have the records how many times I called. I called police several times as well.”
Like Elizabeth’s grandparents, he is extremely frustrated no one helped her before it was too late.
“You know what makes me so sad, the baby who had so many dads, so many grandpas and she got hurt – and nobody is doing nothing about it.”
The baby’s mother Sarvia Velasquez and her boyfriend have been named as suspects.
Neither have been formally charged in the case but Elizabeth’s mother has found herself a defence lawyer. She has refused to comment but her lawyer spoke on her behalf.
“I’m familiar with the news clippings, the press conference yesterday and the information that’s surfaced,” says Alain Hepner.
“I can say she has consulted me on this matter and that’s all I’m prepared to say at this time.”
Sarvia’s ex-husband shares three other children with her. He claims she is now pregnant again.
“My middle daughter was angry saying how can she get pregnant when the other baby was dead?”
The province says it cannot comment on the latest allegations.
http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/mother+of+murdered+infant+pregnant+again+claims+ex-husband/6442470943/story.html
August 26, 2011
There are more allegations that Children and Youth Services ignored warning signs of abuse in the case of baby Elizabeth Velasquez.
On Thursday, the Alberta Government released the results of a review into the death of baby Elizabeth Velasquez.
Children and Youth Services Minister Yvonne Fritz told media the report found there were miscommunication and poor judgement issues.
Elizabeth died on May 2nd, 2010 after being found in medical distress in a southeast Calgary home. An initial autopsy was inconclusive, however, a year later police revealed further tests showed the baby died of asphyxiation and ruled the death a homicide.
Elizabeth has appeared at the Alberta Children’s Hospital several times over a period of 61 days prior to her death for a number of ailments including broken arms and legs.
Her paternal grandparents had contacted social services several times asking for the child to be removed from the home.
On Friday, Sarvia’s ex-husband told Global News he too had called officials warning them of abuse.
“It’s a surprise for me that child welfare, with the first broken leg, didn’t take her after everyone was calling.”
The man does not want to be identified but says he was very active in Elizabeth’s life.
“I called child welfare many times. They have to have the records how many times I called. I called police several times as well.”
Like Elizabeth’s grandparents, he is extremely frustrated no one helped her before it was too late.
“You know what makes me so sad, the baby who had so many dads, so many grandpas and she got hurt – and nobody is doing nothing about it.”
The baby’s mother Sarvia Velasquez and her boyfriend have been named as suspects.
Neither have been formally charged in the case but Elizabeth’s mother has found herself a defence lawyer. She has refused to comment but her lawyer spoke on her behalf.
“I’m familiar with the news clippings, the press conference yesterday and the information that’s surfaced,” says Alain Hepner.
“I can say she has consulted me on this matter and that’s all I’m prepared to say at this time.”
Sarvia’s ex-husband shares three other children with her. He claims she is now pregnant again.
“My middle daughter was angry saying how can she get pregnant when the other baby was dead?”
The province says it cannot comment on the latest allegations.
http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/mother+of+murdered+infant+pregnant+again+claims+ex-husband/6442470943/story.html
karma- Supreme Commander of the Universe With Cape AND Tights AND Fancy Headgear
Re: CANADA • Sarvia Elizabeth VELASQUEZ, 14 months old ~ Calgary AB
by karma Sun Aug 28, 2011 11:26 pm
Timeline: Elizabeth Velasquez tragedy
• February 2009: Sarvia Elizabeth Velasquez is born. She lives with her mother, who is separated from the child's biological father. For the previous seven years, the mother has had multiple investigations by the Calgary and Area Child and Family Services Authority (CFSA) and a history of domestic violence with her previous three children and their biological father, who is not related to Elizabeth.
• Early March, 2010: Baby's mother takes Elizabeth to a dropin clinic, because she is "fussy." Medication is prescribed for an ear infection.
• 2-4 days later: While babysitting, Elizabeth's paternal grandmother Francisca Anderson notices the baby is in pain and asks the mother to take her to hospital.
• Day 5: Mother arrives at Alberta Children's Hospital, saying her baby is fussy. Doctors discover the baby's leg has been recently broken. The injury is recorded as a "toddler fracture." An orthopedic appointment is booked. There is no contact with Child and Family Services.
• Day 13: At the followup appointment with an orthopedic surgeon, a doctor discovers Elizabeth's other leg has been recently broken. No one contacts Child and Family Services.
• Elizabeth's grandparents call the social services response team with concerns about the baby's unexplained broken legs. The historical CFSA file on the family is reviewed and the case is sent to the CFSA multi-service team for assessment. The family also calls CrimeStoppers to report their suspicions of abuse and neglect.
• Day 14: CFSA supervisors assign the case as an emergency investigation. A CFSA assessor interviews one of Elizabeth's halfsiblings at school, then interviews the mother and another child at their Forest Lawn rental home. The other caregiver is interviewed and a safety plan is made allowing only adults to look after the baby, not the other children.
• Day 15: CFSA assessor attends the baby's medical appointment with the mother. The assessor speaks with the police child abuse unit, but no police investigation is initiated with no complaint of inflicted injury.
• Day 20/21 days later: The assessor attempts to have the child examined by the Alberta Children's Hospital child abuse specialist.
• Day 22: The CFSA assessor talks with an orthopedic surgeon who makes a referral to the hospital's child abuse specialist. A followup appointment is booked six days later.
• Day 28: Mother and baby attend appointment with child abuse specialist, where a full skeletal exam and blood work are ordered for Elizabeth. After learning of the family history, the specialist advises the CFSA assessor to call police. A detective from the police child abuse unit is assigned to the case.
• Day 38: Skeletal examination results are received by the hospital's child abuse specialist.
• Day 42: The specialist calls CFSA with the news that the child has two newly identified broken bones on her arms. The injuries are "dated." After an internal meeting, the CFSA assessor contacts the mother and the police child abuse detective.
• Day 43: CFSA assessor meets with the mother to discuss changing the safety plan so she is Elizabeth's sole caregiver.
• Day 45: Police detective interviews the mother and child's older half siblings.
• Day 48: The CFSA assessor, police detective and hospital child abuse specialist meet to discuss the case. No notes are recorded.
• Day 49-58: The CFSA assessor has three telephone conversations with the mother.
• Day 61: Elizabeth is found unresponsive at home by police. She is rushed to hospital, where she is pronounced dead at 4: 41 a.m. Her death is initially recorded as accidental. An autopsy later determined that she died from asphyxia.
http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/iphone/news/latest/story.html?id=5310797
• February 2009: Sarvia Elizabeth Velasquez is born. She lives with her mother, who is separated from the child's biological father. For the previous seven years, the mother has had multiple investigations by the Calgary and Area Child and Family Services Authority (CFSA) and a history of domestic violence with her previous three children and their biological father, who is not related to Elizabeth.
• Early March, 2010: Baby's mother takes Elizabeth to a dropin clinic, because she is "fussy." Medication is prescribed for an ear infection.
• 2-4 days later: While babysitting, Elizabeth's paternal grandmother Francisca Anderson notices the baby is in pain and asks the mother to take her to hospital.
• Day 5: Mother arrives at Alberta Children's Hospital, saying her baby is fussy. Doctors discover the baby's leg has been recently broken. The injury is recorded as a "toddler fracture." An orthopedic appointment is booked. There is no contact with Child and Family Services.
• Day 13: At the followup appointment with an orthopedic surgeon, a doctor discovers Elizabeth's other leg has been recently broken. No one contacts Child and Family Services.
• Elizabeth's grandparents call the social services response team with concerns about the baby's unexplained broken legs. The historical CFSA file on the family is reviewed and the case is sent to the CFSA multi-service team for assessment. The family also calls CrimeStoppers to report their suspicions of abuse and neglect.
• Day 14: CFSA supervisors assign the case as an emergency investigation. A CFSA assessor interviews one of Elizabeth's halfsiblings at school, then interviews the mother and another child at their Forest Lawn rental home. The other caregiver is interviewed and a safety plan is made allowing only adults to look after the baby, not the other children.
• Day 15: CFSA assessor attends the baby's medical appointment with the mother. The assessor speaks with the police child abuse unit, but no police investigation is initiated with no complaint of inflicted injury.
• Day 20/21 days later: The assessor attempts to have the child examined by the Alberta Children's Hospital child abuse specialist.
• Day 22: The CFSA assessor talks with an orthopedic surgeon who makes a referral to the hospital's child abuse specialist. A followup appointment is booked six days later.
• Day 28: Mother and baby attend appointment with child abuse specialist, where a full skeletal exam and blood work are ordered for Elizabeth. After learning of the family history, the specialist advises the CFSA assessor to call police. A detective from the police child abuse unit is assigned to the case.
• Day 38: Skeletal examination results are received by the hospital's child abuse specialist.
• Day 42: The specialist calls CFSA with the news that the child has two newly identified broken bones on her arms. The injuries are "dated." After an internal meeting, the CFSA assessor contacts the mother and the police child abuse detective.
• Day 43: CFSA assessor meets with the mother to discuss changing the safety plan so she is Elizabeth's sole caregiver.
• Day 45: Police detective interviews the mother and child's older half siblings.
• Day 48: The CFSA assessor, police detective and hospital child abuse specialist meet to discuss the case. No notes are recorded.
• Day 49-58: The CFSA assessor has three telephone conversations with the mother.
• Day 61: Elizabeth is found unresponsive at home by police. She is rushed to hospital, where she is pronounced dead at 4: 41 a.m. Her death is initially recorded as accidental. An autopsy later determined that she died from asphyxia.
http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/iphone/news/latest/story.html?id=5310797
karma- Supreme Commander of the Universe With Cape AND Tights AND Fancy Headgear
Re: CANADA • Sarvia Elizabeth VELASQUEZ, 14 months old ~ Calgary AB
by karma Sun Aug 28, 2011 11:46 pm
Government strengthening child protection services
Moves follow report examining suspicious death of toddler
The Alberta government is committing $1.5 million to support a new independent body that will strengthen child protection services in the province.
The Child and Family Services and Quality Assurance Council will receive notification of all deaths or serious injuries of children in the province's care and will determine when incidents need to be independently reviewed.
The move comes after a report was released Thursday that examined circumstances surrounding the suspicious death of Sarvia Elizabeth Velasquez in May 2010.
Sarvia Elizabeth Velasquez died in May 2010.
Police have ruled her death a homocide.
The report outlined a two-month series of events that lead to the death of Sarvia Elizabeth during which the 14-month-old toddler came under the attention of police, social services and doctors but remained with her caregivers.
Four broken bones in four limbs were diagnosed over that time.
In May, police declared her death a homicide after an autopsy found she died of asphyxia, but have yet to make an arrest. They say they have two suspects.
Killer will be arrested, police chief says
"The person responsible for the death of this child is a murderer," Calgary police Chief Rick Hanson told a news conference. He promised the girl's grandparents that the killer would eventually be arrested.
"I don't care how long it's going to take," Hanson said.
Alberta Children Services Minister Yvonne Fritz admitted at the news conference that the three systems — police, social workers and doctor — could have worked better for the little girl.
She said the government will accept recommendations made by the panel which authored the report, so that everyone can better work together to protect children.
The girl's grandfather shouted angry questions at the news conference about the report, but later said he had calmed down after meeting with the minister about his concerns.
"I'm not going to rant and rave about social services," he said. "I blame the killer."
The report identified deficiencies and poor communication among investigating bodies during the two-month probe, including inter-system barriers, delays and gaps in information gathering.
"What happened is we've got three separate systems that exist and within those three systems, we have processes that in this case did not interact as well as they should have," Hanson said.
"Systems have to be designed to work better together."
The government said it will accept all of the panel's recommendations.
"The panel reinforced that the safety and well-being of Alberta's children is a shared responsibility," said Fritz.
As part of those recommendations the government will provide a framework for increased collaboration between various provincial bodies.
"It is critical that child intervention, health and police services work more closely together to provide co-ordinated supports to Alberta's at-risk children, youth and families," she said.
NDP critic Rachel Notley said she found nothing of significance in the report and criticized its lack of detail.
"You can't ascertain exactly what happened and the recommendations defy any level of accountability," she said, renewing calls for the creation of an independent children's advocate in the province.
Fritz said the panel consisted of independent experts instead of government employees, and more external panels will be struck to review all critical incidents.
Need to keep electronic records
Some of the report's other recommendations include the need to create legislation that protects staff when discussing potential shortcomings during reviews and developing electronic record keeping at the Alberta Children and Youth Services.
The independent five-person panel, created in May 2011 and made of legal and health experts, also recommended the ACYS create a critical response plan in event of an accident or death.
The government said strengthened training and communication with provincial staff will help improve the tracking and reporting of serious incidents.
The province's Children and Youth Services came under fire in July when the biological mother of a four-month-old child said she would sue the government to get answers about her daughter who died in foster care.
At the time, critics said the incident highlighted Alberta's secretive approach to investigations involving deaths of children under the province's care.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/story/2011/08/25/calgary-children-intervention.html
Moves follow report examining suspicious death of toddler
The Alberta government is committing $1.5 million to support a new independent body that will strengthen child protection services in the province.
The Child and Family Services and Quality Assurance Council will receive notification of all deaths or serious injuries of children in the province's care and will determine when incidents need to be independently reviewed.
The move comes after a report was released Thursday that examined circumstances surrounding the suspicious death of Sarvia Elizabeth Velasquez in May 2010.
Sarvia Elizabeth Velasquez died in May 2010.
Police have ruled her death a homocide.
The report outlined a two-month series of events that lead to the death of Sarvia Elizabeth during which the 14-month-old toddler came under the attention of police, social services and doctors but remained with her caregivers.
Four broken bones in four limbs were diagnosed over that time.
In May, police declared her death a homicide after an autopsy found she died of asphyxia, but have yet to make an arrest. They say they have two suspects.
Killer will be arrested, police chief says
"The person responsible for the death of this child is a murderer," Calgary police Chief Rick Hanson told a news conference. He promised the girl's grandparents that the killer would eventually be arrested.
"I don't care how long it's going to take," Hanson said.
Alberta Children Services Minister Yvonne Fritz admitted at the news conference that the three systems — police, social workers and doctor — could have worked better for the little girl.
She said the government will accept recommendations made by the panel which authored the report, so that everyone can better work together to protect children.
The girl's grandfather shouted angry questions at the news conference about the report, but later said he had calmed down after meeting with the minister about his concerns.
"I'm not going to rant and rave about social services," he said. "I blame the killer."
The report identified deficiencies and poor communication among investigating bodies during the two-month probe, including inter-system barriers, delays and gaps in information gathering.
"What happened is we've got three separate systems that exist and within those three systems, we have processes that in this case did not interact as well as they should have," Hanson said.
"Systems have to be designed to work better together."
The government said it will accept all of the panel's recommendations.
"The panel reinforced that the safety and well-being of Alberta's children is a shared responsibility," said Fritz.
As part of those recommendations the government will provide a framework for increased collaboration between various provincial bodies.
"It is critical that child intervention, health and police services work more closely together to provide co-ordinated supports to Alberta's at-risk children, youth and families," she said.
NDP critic Rachel Notley said she found nothing of significance in the report and criticized its lack of detail.
"You can't ascertain exactly what happened and the recommendations defy any level of accountability," she said, renewing calls for the creation of an independent children's advocate in the province.
Fritz said the panel consisted of independent experts instead of government employees, and more external panels will be struck to review all critical incidents.
Need to keep electronic records
Some of the report's other recommendations include the need to create legislation that protects staff when discussing potential shortcomings during reviews and developing electronic record keeping at the Alberta Children and Youth Services.
The independent five-person panel, created in May 2011 and made of legal and health experts, also recommended the ACYS create a critical response plan in event of an accident or death.
The government said strengthened training and communication with provincial staff will help improve the tracking and reporting of serious incidents.
The province's Children and Youth Services came under fire in July when the biological mother of a four-month-old child said she would sue the government to get answers about her daughter who died in foster care.
At the time, critics said the incident highlighted Alberta's secretive approach to investigations involving deaths of children under the province's care.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/story/2011/08/25/calgary-children-intervention.html
karma- Supreme Commander of the Universe With Cape AND Tights AND Fancy Headgear
Re: CANADA • Sarvia Elizabeth VELASQUEZ, 14 months old ~ Calgary AB
by karma Tue Aug 30, 2011 2:34 am
Tory leader hopeful slammed by grieving grandparents
August 28, 2011
Family members, not government, bear “the ultimate responsibility” for the tragic death of young Elizabeth Velasquez, a Tory leadership contender suggested to a public forum on Sunday.
Battle River-Wainwright MLA Doug Griffiths, one of six vying to become Alberta’s next premier, took aim at the family of murdered 14-month-old Velasquez during a leadership debate at the Croatian Canadian Cultural Centre in Calgary, suggesting they’re more at fault than the public servants charged with intervening.
The 38-year-old contender was responding to a question concerning accountability within Children and Youth Services, just days after the province issued a mea culpa in the death of Velasquez citing fatal flaws in the handling of her case.
Griffiths defended the public servants involved, saying they were acting under expert guidelines and are in no need of punishment.
“If somebody in government did something criminally negligent that caused the death of somebody, then we should lay criminal charges, but I can’t think of one example where somebody did something criminally negligent.
“And in the most recent case where a young person died, I can assure you the public servant did everything they possibly could and made the best judgement call possible, feels awful about the circumstance. I don’t know if they need to be punished.”
Griffiths said he “gets a little bit upset” when people blame government for such mistakes where others have caused the death of a child, and suggested family members could have done more.
“And secondly, I know that if I was in a situation like that, my parents would have come in and kicked my door down before the government ever showed up and fixed the situation.
“The government bears some responsibility. I don’t know if someone should be punished, but I think we need to remember exactly who bears the ultimate responsibility, that’s the parents and the family.”
Griffiths’ comments enraged the child’s grandparents, Francisca and Bruce Anderson.
“Hindsight is 20/20 and I don’t have a lot of experience dealing with murderers,” Bruce said Sunday.
Velasquez died in May of 2010, weeks after the Andersons made repeated attempts to raise the alarm over their granddaughter’s injuries, which included broken bones in her legs and arms.
Had Bruce broken down the door to rescue Elizabeth, he could have been charged with kidnapping, as indicated to the grieving granddad by Calgary’s own chief of police.
“You can ask that (expletive) how many murderers he’s dealt with and tell him he can just be goddamn well thankful that didn’t happen to him,” Bruce said.
Fellow Tories distanced themselves from Griffiths’ position at Sunday’s debate.
“Doug Griffiths and I tend to agree on a lot of issues, but I gotta say I see it very differently,” said fellow MLA and former justice minister Alison Redford, who pledged system improvements to ensure in cases where families aren’t able to protect kids and are in need of government intervention, “we’d better do it well.”
Sherwoord Park MLA Iris Evans, who participated in the debate on Gary Mar’s behalf, sided with Redford.
“There are ways of making sure that our performance measures are accountable for children who are in care and that the people who are providing that care do the very best possible,” Evans said.
Police say the mother and her boyfriend have not been ruled out as suspects in the child’s death, although no charges have been laid yet.
Children and Youth Services Minister Yvonne Fritz last week admitted more could have been done to safeguard Velasquez after a review found delays and miscommunication between agencies.
August 28, 2011
Family members, not government, bear “the ultimate responsibility” for the tragic death of young Elizabeth Velasquez, a Tory leadership contender suggested to a public forum on Sunday.
Battle River-Wainwright MLA Doug Griffiths, one of six vying to become Alberta’s next premier, took aim at the family of murdered 14-month-old Velasquez during a leadership debate at the Croatian Canadian Cultural Centre in Calgary, suggesting they’re more at fault than the public servants charged with intervening.
The 38-year-old contender was responding to a question concerning accountability within Children and Youth Services, just days after the province issued a mea culpa in the death of Velasquez citing fatal flaws in the handling of her case.
Griffiths defended the public servants involved, saying they were acting under expert guidelines and are in no need of punishment.
“If somebody in government did something criminally negligent that caused the death of somebody, then we should lay criminal charges, but I can’t think of one example where somebody did something criminally negligent.
“And in the most recent case where a young person died, I can assure you the public servant did everything they possibly could and made the best judgement call possible, feels awful about the circumstance. I don’t know if they need to be punished.”
Griffiths said he “gets a little bit upset” when people blame government for such mistakes where others have caused the death of a child, and suggested family members could have done more.
“And secondly, I know that if I was in a situation like that, my parents would have come in and kicked my door down before the government ever showed up and fixed the situation.
“The government bears some responsibility. I don’t know if someone should be punished, but I think we need to remember exactly who bears the ultimate responsibility, that’s the parents and the family.”
Griffiths’ comments enraged the child’s grandparents, Francisca and Bruce Anderson.
“Hindsight is 20/20 and I don’t have a lot of experience dealing with murderers,” Bruce said Sunday.
Velasquez died in May of 2010, weeks after the Andersons made repeated attempts to raise the alarm over their granddaughter’s injuries, which included broken bones in her legs and arms.
Had Bruce broken down the door to rescue Elizabeth, he could have been charged with kidnapping, as indicated to the grieving granddad by Calgary’s own chief of police.
“You can ask that (expletive) how many murderers he’s dealt with and tell him he can just be goddamn well thankful that didn’t happen to him,” Bruce said.
Fellow Tories distanced themselves from Griffiths’ position at Sunday’s debate.
“Doug Griffiths and I tend to agree on a lot of issues, but I gotta say I see it very differently,” said fellow MLA and former justice minister Alison Redford, who pledged system improvements to ensure in cases where families aren’t able to protect kids and are in need of government intervention, “we’d better do it well.”
Sherwoord Park MLA Iris Evans, who participated in the debate on Gary Mar’s behalf, sided with Redford.
“There are ways of making sure that our performance measures are accountable for children who are in care and that the people who are providing that care do the very best possible,” Evans said.
Police say the mother and her boyfriend have not been ruled out as suspects in the child’s death, although no charges have been laid yet.
Children and Youth Services Minister Yvonne Fritz last week admitted more could have been done to safeguard Velasquez after a review found delays and miscommunication between agencies.
karma- Supreme Commander of the Universe With Cape AND Tights AND Fancy Headgear
Re: CANADA • Sarvia Elizabeth VELASQUEZ, 14 months old ~ Calgary AB
by karma Tue Aug 30, 2011 2:39 am
Tory leadership hopeful apologizes to grandparents of dead infant over remarks
August 29, 2011
Alberta Progressive Conservative Leadership candidate Doug Griffiths has said that his parents would have intervened differently if their grandchild was being abused.
Photograph by: Colleen De Neve, Calgary Herald
A Progressive Conservative leadership hopeful who has come under fire for his comments about the Elizabeth Velasquez case is apologizing to the grandparents of the little girl who died last year.
The remarks now dogging MLA Doug Griffiths, and which have infuriated the grandparents of the child, were made during two interviews in the last week and in a public leadership forum held Sunday.
They surround the case of the 14-month-old girl, who was returned home to her parents despite four broken limbs and concerns voiced by her grandparents over her welfare. She was killed just weeks later.
In recent days, Griffiths has said that his parents would have intervened differently if their grandchild was being abused.
The Battle River-Wainwright MLA now says he is sorry how his remarks came out, adding he did not mean to imply that Velasquez’s grandparents could have done more to save her life.
“It’s like this giant misunderstanding that I horribly regret delving into,” Griffiths said Monday in an interview.
“That’s not what I meant. And it’s really frustrating, especially when you see grandparents upset — justifiably.
“I never meant to imply that they didn’t do enough, I was still talking in generalities.”
Griffiths said in reviewing a transcript of his comments, he understands “where the impression comes from.” He said he believes the grandparents did everything they could.
The MLA said he was simply making a comment about what his parents would have done in the same situation, and didn’t mean the same in the Velasquez case.
In a radio interview Monday, Griffiths said he his comments during Sunday’s leadership forum did not refer to the Velasquez case, except to the civil servant likely did everything they could.
But later in the day, he acknowledged to the Herald he was speaking about the case.
He told the crowd of about 60 that: “I know that if I was in a situation like that, my parents would have come in and kicked my door down before the government every showed up and fixed the situation.”
In an interview after the forum, he was asked about the case and said: “I remember listening to the grandparents say, you know, they thought it was dangerous. If I was a grandparent, I probably would have charged in and done something to protect my grandchild.”
And on Thursday, when a review panel released its report into the death, Griffiths told the Herald that: “And then the grandparents were the one’s that reported it, and I know full well that if I was abusing my kids, my dad would kick the ... living crap out of me and take the kids out of there.
“(He) would not wait for child services. He would phone them after, if need be. But he would not wait until the government intervened.”
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Tory+leadership+hopeful+apologizes+grandparents+dead+infant+over+remarks/5324055/story.html?cid=megadrop_story
August 29, 2011
Alberta Progressive Conservative Leadership candidate Doug Griffiths has said that his parents would have intervened differently if their grandchild was being abused.
Photograph by: Colleen De Neve, Calgary Herald
A Progressive Conservative leadership hopeful who has come under fire for his comments about the Elizabeth Velasquez case is apologizing to the grandparents of the little girl who died last year.
The remarks now dogging MLA Doug Griffiths, and which have infuriated the grandparents of the child, were made during two interviews in the last week and in a public leadership forum held Sunday.
They surround the case of the 14-month-old girl, who was returned home to her parents despite four broken limbs and concerns voiced by her grandparents over her welfare. She was killed just weeks later.
In recent days, Griffiths has said that his parents would have intervened differently if their grandchild was being abused.
The Battle River-Wainwright MLA now says he is sorry how his remarks came out, adding he did not mean to imply that Velasquez’s grandparents could have done more to save her life.
“It’s like this giant misunderstanding that I horribly regret delving into,” Griffiths said Monday in an interview.
“That’s not what I meant. And it’s really frustrating, especially when you see grandparents upset — justifiably.
“I never meant to imply that they didn’t do enough, I was still talking in generalities.”
Griffiths said in reviewing a transcript of his comments, he understands “where the impression comes from.” He said he believes the grandparents did everything they could.
The MLA said he was simply making a comment about what his parents would have done in the same situation, and didn’t mean the same in the Velasquez case.
In a radio interview Monday, Griffiths said he his comments during Sunday’s leadership forum did not refer to the Velasquez case, except to the civil servant likely did everything they could.
But later in the day, he acknowledged to the Herald he was speaking about the case.
He told the crowd of about 60 that: “I know that if I was in a situation like that, my parents would have come in and kicked my door down before the government every showed up and fixed the situation.”
In an interview after the forum, he was asked about the case and said: “I remember listening to the grandparents say, you know, they thought it was dangerous. If I was a grandparent, I probably would have charged in and done something to protect my grandchild.”
And on Thursday, when a review panel released its report into the death, Griffiths told the Herald that: “And then the grandparents were the one’s that reported it, and I know full well that if I was abusing my kids, my dad would kick the ... living crap out of me and take the kids out of there.
“(He) would not wait for child services. He would phone them after, if need be. But he would not wait until the government intervened.”
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Tory+leadership+hopeful+apologizes+grandparents+dead+infant+over+remarks/5324055/story.html?cid=megadrop_story
karma- Supreme Commander of the Universe With Cape AND Tights AND Fancy Headgear
Re: CANADA • Sarvia Elizabeth VELASQUEZ, 14 months old ~ Calgary AB
by karma Tue Aug 30, 2011 3:25 am
Unspoken 'quota' puts children in danger: Alberta social worker
Undated photo of Elizabeth Velasquez who died in May of 2010. Investigators have found she died of asphyxiation and was the victim of foul play.
An Alberta social worker says a quota system within Alberta's Children and Youth Services ministry endangers the lives of children at risk in this province.
When I called this social worker Friday, she said she was glad I called. Let's call her Sherry, which is not her real name, since she cannot speak publicly for fear of losing her job.
She knows the public is rightly outraged about the killing of 14-month-old Elizabeth Velasquez. An expert panel report released Thursday into the asphyxiation death of the beautiful toddler exposed fatal flaws in how her case was handled.
"I feel sick to my stomach," says Sherry, "reading about what happened to baby Elizabeth," who had both of her little legs and both of her arms broken before she died on May 2, 2010. "Sick, physically sick, that's how I feel."
But Sherry says her stomach also turns for her Calgary counterparts who did not remove the abused girl from her obviously unsafe Forest Lawn home, even though the girl's paternal grandparents, Bruce and Francisca Anderson, had reported concerns to social services
"I've been reading comments online that are calling for the social workers who handled this case to be exposed and fired," says Sherry. "But the public needs to know that very often our hands are tied as to what we can do."
Several times in her many years working as a government caseworker she has been chastised by two different bosses for "apprehending too many children from their homes.
"I was told that the percentage of the children I had apprehended in relation to the number of cases I investigated was too high. When I argued that I only apprehend children who are at risk of harm I was told that my threshold for concern was too high and needed to be lowered because I was exceeding the average of percentages of children apprehended by other social workers."
Sherry says when she asked her boss if there was a quota system behind how many children can be seized, she was told that they would never use the word "quota" but that in essence, yes there was.
John Tuckwell, a spokesperson with Children and Youth Services, denied that there is a quota for how many children can be seized in any given month or year in relation to how many cases come to the department's attention.
"There is a principal to try to keep families together," admits Tuckwell, "but no quota."
"Certainly apprehension is the last resort. The decision to remove a child from a family home would not be taken lightly. We strive to keep families together because the family is seen as a very important building block," says Tuckwell.
"Our practice is not to prejudge any case that comes to our attention and a quota would jeopardize that," says Tuckwell.
However, Sherry's comments are not the first time I've heard about case work supervisors placing incredible pressure on front-line social workers to return children to abusive homes against their best judgment or in some cases, receiving praise and promotions for returning many children to troubled homes after "providing supports and interventions", even when later those decisions proved to be damaging to the child.
Back in 1996 I covered the case of four-year-old Jordan Quinney, who died after being beaten and bitten by Troy McCafferty, the mother's boyfriend, who had been convicted of assaulting the boy in the past.
Jordan had been seized from mother Dana Carpentier in November 1996 after McCafferty viciously beat the boy for accidentally urinating on him and was convicted of that assault.
For the next nine months, Jordan lived with his loving aunt Dean Carpentier in Lloydminster. But in late July, 1997, Alberta social workers deemed it was safe for Jordan to return to his mother and McCafferty in Red Deer.
Dan Carpentier, Jordan's grandfather, said the terrified boy had to literally be dragged kicking and screaming back into his mother's home.
"He kicked and fought us every step of the way," the heartsick grandfather told me then, his voice cracking with emotion. "He told me he didn't like it there. I think he knew what was coming."
What was coming for little Jordan? While his mother was out pawning Jordan's toys on Jan. 27, 1998 so McCafferty could buy pot, Jordan was getting the beating that ended his tortured life. Young Jordan suffered brain injuries, fractured ribs, bite wounds and bruises.
He was pronounced dead on arrival to hospital in Red Deer.
A social worker then told me huge emphasis is placed on returning seized children to their original homes, even when it's clear the child is in a better place with another relative or foster family and the child doesn't want to return and sometimes, even that the parents aren't particularly anxious to receive the child back.
Sherry says the law that makes it mandatory for children to be seized if found in a house where drug trafficking or grow ops occur is good but that she has seen children returned to far worse and more dangerous homes that aren't involved in drug trafficking.
Perhaps that's why Child and Youth Services Minister Yvonne Fritz defended staff involved in baby Elizabeth's case. She knows how much pressure case workers are under to keep these sorry excuses of families together, rather than erring on the side of caution.
Licia Corbella is a columnist and editorial page editor.
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Unspoken+quota+puts+children+danger+Alberta+social+worker/5316058/story.html
Undated photo of Elizabeth Velasquez who died in May of 2010. Investigators have found she died of asphyxiation and was the victim of foul play.
An Alberta social worker says a quota system within Alberta's Children and Youth Services ministry endangers the lives of children at risk in this province.
When I called this social worker Friday, she said she was glad I called. Let's call her Sherry, which is not her real name, since she cannot speak publicly for fear of losing her job.
She knows the public is rightly outraged about the killing of 14-month-old Elizabeth Velasquez. An expert panel report released Thursday into the asphyxiation death of the beautiful toddler exposed fatal flaws in how her case was handled.
"I feel sick to my stomach," says Sherry, "reading about what happened to baby Elizabeth," who had both of her little legs and both of her arms broken before she died on May 2, 2010. "Sick, physically sick, that's how I feel."
But Sherry says her stomach also turns for her Calgary counterparts who did not remove the abused girl from her obviously unsafe Forest Lawn home, even though the girl's paternal grandparents, Bruce and Francisca Anderson, had reported concerns to social services
"I've been reading comments online that are calling for the social workers who handled this case to be exposed and fired," says Sherry. "But the public needs to know that very often our hands are tied as to what we can do."
Several times in her many years working as a government caseworker she has been chastised by two different bosses for "apprehending too many children from their homes.
"I was told that the percentage of the children I had apprehended in relation to the number of cases I investigated was too high. When I argued that I only apprehend children who are at risk of harm I was told that my threshold for concern was too high and needed to be lowered because I was exceeding the average of percentages of children apprehended by other social workers."
Sherry says when she asked her boss if there was a quota system behind how many children can be seized, she was told that they would never use the word "quota" but that in essence, yes there was.
John Tuckwell, a spokesperson with Children and Youth Services, denied that there is a quota for how many children can be seized in any given month or year in relation to how many cases come to the department's attention.
"There is a principal to try to keep families together," admits Tuckwell, "but no quota."
"Certainly apprehension is the last resort. The decision to remove a child from a family home would not be taken lightly. We strive to keep families together because the family is seen as a very important building block," says Tuckwell.
"Our practice is not to prejudge any case that comes to our attention and a quota would jeopardize that," says Tuckwell.
However, Sherry's comments are not the first time I've heard about case work supervisors placing incredible pressure on front-line social workers to return children to abusive homes against their best judgment or in some cases, receiving praise and promotions for returning many children to troubled homes after "providing supports and interventions", even when later those decisions proved to be damaging to the child.
Back in 1996 I covered the case of four-year-old Jordan Quinney, who died after being beaten and bitten by Troy McCafferty, the mother's boyfriend, who had been convicted of assaulting the boy in the past.
Jordan had been seized from mother Dana Carpentier in November 1996 after McCafferty viciously beat the boy for accidentally urinating on him and was convicted of that assault.
For the next nine months, Jordan lived with his loving aunt Dean Carpentier in Lloydminster. But in late July, 1997, Alberta social workers deemed it was safe for Jordan to return to his mother and McCafferty in Red Deer.
Dan Carpentier, Jordan's grandfather, said the terrified boy had to literally be dragged kicking and screaming back into his mother's home.
"He kicked and fought us every step of the way," the heartsick grandfather told me then, his voice cracking with emotion. "He told me he didn't like it there. I think he knew what was coming."
What was coming for little Jordan? While his mother was out pawning Jordan's toys on Jan. 27, 1998 so McCafferty could buy pot, Jordan was getting the beating that ended his tortured life. Young Jordan suffered brain injuries, fractured ribs, bite wounds and bruises.
He was pronounced dead on arrival to hospital in Red Deer.
A social worker then told me huge emphasis is placed on returning seized children to their original homes, even when it's clear the child is in a better place with another relative or foster family and the child doesn't want to return and sometimes, even that the parents aren't particularly anxious to receive the child back.
Sherry says the law that makes it mandatory for children to be seized if found in a house where drug trafficking or grow ops occur is good but that she has seen children returned to far worse and more dangerous homes that aren't involved in drug trafficking.
Perhaps that's why Child and Youth Services Minister Yvonne Fritz defended staff involved in baby Elizabeth's case. She knows how much pressure case workers are under to keep these sorry excuses of families together, rather than erring on the side of caution.
Licia Corbella is a columnist and editorial page editor.
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Unspoken+quota+puts+children+danger+Alberta+social+worker/5316058/story.html
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