FOSTER CHILD’S DEATH SHOULD NOT BE IN VAIN.wmv

                                       

Standing over her tiny pink coffin, Father Jim Holland called on those mourning a 21-month-old foster childs death to speak out and demand our children be safe. Tuesdays funeral at Sacred Heart Church was the fourth time in 15 years that the inner-city priest has had to comfort the family of a child who died while in government care. Her death is also the latest in a string of tragedies in the past few years connected to the child welfare system. Its easy to blame individuals, Holland told the 100 or so mourners. Its easy for us to say our government is not doing what it should, but unless we challenge this and speak out, its going to continue. The little girl, who by law cant be identified, was in foster care in Morinville. She died March 3 in hospital, two days after being admitted in critical condition. The death was ruled a homicide and RCMP continue to investigate. So far, no charges have been laid. Police have not released any details, including the cause of death. Some unconfirmed reports have said the probe is more complicated because two households are involved ― the regular foster home and a respite home. The Alberta Childrens Services Ministry is conducting its own internal probe. Outside the church, the childs grief-wracked mother struggled to keep her composure as she recalled holding her in my arms, her smile and her beautiful, beautiful hair. She declined to talk about the investigation, saying it was a day to remember the childs brief life. In her eulogy …