REGINA – Two years to the day after the death of a six-year-old Saskatchewan boy shocked the country, his parents are now suing the provincial government.
“I don’t want to see any other families or children being hurt.”
Lee Bonneau’s father, David Bonneau, told Global News he’s been trying to find a lawyer to represent him for the past two years.
“I want it to stop and I don’t want to see any other families or children being hurt in the care of social services. Someone’s got to step up to the plate and do something about it,” said Bonneau.
Six-year-old Bonneau was found beaten to death on a Saskatchewan reserve in August of 2013, allegedly at the hands of a ten-year-old boy. Both boys and their families had been referred to social services several times.
Lawyer Tony Merchant is representing Lee’s parents David Bonneau and Stacey Merk. Merchant said a statement of claim was filed shortly before 4:00 p.m. on Thursday and that said the case is about alleged negligence by Social Services.
“Normally the amount of damages that you might get in a case like this is $50,000 to $75,000,” said Merchant. “Additionally we want the court to examine what’s called punitive or exemplary damages. We want to say to a court, ‘this kind of conduct can’t be allowed’.”
Merchant predicts it will take three years for the case to go through the court system.
A government spokesperson released the following statement: “Government received the Statement of Claim this (Friday) morning. As the matter is before the Courts, we will not be commenting further.”
A two-week public inquest was held earlier this year, which resulted in 19 recommendations.
READ MORE: Lee Bonneau’s mom and dad testify at inquest
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