Quebec’s protective measures were deemed inadequate in preventing the tragic death of a seven-year-old girl in Granby, as stated by coroner Géhane Kamel. In a detailed 26-page report released on Wednesday, the coroner highlighted that warning signs were overlooked leading up to the girl’s death, emphasizing that her voice should have been heard.
While acknowledging that no ill intent was involved, Kamel noted a lack of coordination and essential communication within the system as contributing factors. She put forth 12 recommendations, aligning with those from the Commission of Inquiry on the Rights of Children and Youth Protection chaired by Régine Laurent. One key recommendation emphasized the importance of Youth Protection (DPJ) having the necessary resources to engage with all relevant parties involved in child welfare cases.
The coroner clarified that the DPJ cannot shoulder full responsibility for a child’s well-being or be faulted for system failures, but stressed the urgency of adapting practices to enhance the DPJ’s role as a safety net, especially given the increasing demands.
Tragically, the girl from Granby lost her life in April 2019, succumbing to suffocation after being wrapped in duct tape.
In a related development, the child’s father received a four-year prison sentence in January 2022 for pleading guilty to a reduced charge of confinement. Meanwhile, her stepmother was convicted of the girl’s unpremeditated murder and confinement and was sentenced to life in prison without parole for 13 years.
