TORONTO – A coroner’s inquest into the death of a seven-year-old Toronto girl killed by her legal guardians is expected to hear from the Children’s Aid Society today.
The inquest into Katelynn Sampson’s death has heard that two child welfare organizations – CAS and Native Child and Family Services – were contacted about her or had dealings with her guardians while she was living with them.
Katelynn’s mother, Bernice Sampson, was addicted to crack and gave her daughter to Donna Irving and Warren Johnson in a misguided attempt to give Katelynn a better life. Sampson’s other children had already become wards of the Crown and she did not want to lose access to Katelynn in the same way.
It was later revealed that a judge granted custody to Irving despite her criminal convictions for prostitution, drugs and violence. Johnson also had a several convictions.
Katelynn was beaten for months and died from septic shock on Aug. 3, 2008.
The couple pleaded guilty three years ago of second-degree murder in the girl’s death and were sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 15 years.
Comments