Ontario's minister responsible for children should demand an immediate inquest into the death of 13-year-old Stephanie Jobin, NDP critic for children's issues Shelley Martel said yesterday.
Ms. Martel argued that an inquest "is the best way to ensure that a death like Stephanie's can't happen again."
Responding to a Globe and Mail investigation into the death, Ms. Martel said the fact that an inquest was never called "is reprehensible," adding that Community and Social Services Minister John Baird "must demand an inquest today. Stephanie's family deserves to know the whole truth surrounding her death."
Stephanie, who suffered from a number of developmental problems including autism, sustained fatal injuries in June, 1998, at Digs For Kids, a privately run residence and treatment centre for children in Brampton, Ont.
She stopped breathing after two workers restrained her by putting a beanbag chair on her back and holding her face down for 20 minutes.
The Ontario government and the Peel Children's Aid Society in Brampton conducted investigations, but the results have been kept secret -- even from Stephanie's immediate family.
Despite a number of troubling circumstances surrounding Stephanie's death, the Paediatric Death Review Committee of the Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario decided a formal inquest was not necessary. Detectives with the Peel Regional Police started but later dropped an investigation.
"All children with autism deserve the best, safest and most effective treatment available," Ms. Martel said. "For Stephanie Jobin, this was clearly not the case and we must know why."
Ms. Martel added that for many parents with autistic children, "a group home is their last resort. They need to know their child will be safe."
Describing the death of any child as "a great tragedy," Ben Hamilton, press secretary to Mr. Baird, said the decision to call an inquest rests with the Ontario coroner.
Reminded that Mr. Baird is the lead advocate for children in Ontario, Mr. Hamilton said the minister sees his role as making a strong commitment to supporting children with developmental disabilities.