WINNIPEG — The little girl was only 21 months old when she died, now her parents and stepsister have been charged with her death.
She died in July, and a provincial spokesperson confirms she had been in and out of Child and Family Services care before her death. An investigation is underway by the children’s advocate to find out if proper steps were taken by CFS.
Six months after the little girl died from traumatic injures on the Peguis First Nation, RCMP arrested and charged her mother with second degree murder and failing to provide the necessities of life. Her 33-year old father and her 20-year old stepsister are charged with manslaughter and failing to provide the necessities of life.
Neighbours were stunned to hear the news.
“We were really shocked about it. They were really nice people,” said neighbour Verna Spence. “It’s hard to believe, because they’re so precious.”
She died July 17 after she was brought to the hospital in Hodgson with severe injures. RCMP were alerted by staff.
Spence said she didn’t notice anything odd at the family’s home.
“They kept to themselves. Everybody keeps to themselves on the reserve. I don’t know what happened to the little girl, but she’s somewhere safe now,” said Spence.
Community members said the mother is from the Jackhead First Nation, 70 kilometres north of Peguis, but the father is from Peguis and has family living across the river from his house. They would not speak to Global News Thursday.
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In July, the province confirmed the young girl had been in and out of Child and Family Services care; the case has similarities to the tragic death of five-year-old Phoenix Sinclair.
Sinclair was murdered by her mother and stepfather in 2005 on Fisher River First Nation, just 20 kilometres from Peguis, after CFS returned the girl to her mother.
“It gives me a lump in my throat, ’cause it’s shocking to hear they’ve been charged now,” said Spence, who has a two-year-old boy.
The three accused are in custody awaiting court appearances.
A sweeping publication ban Thursday prevents Global News from releasing the names of the victim and the three accused.
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