Just a week after RoadKill Radio’s explosive exposé of how the provincial Ministry of Children and Families damaged the lives of the Bayne family, another BC family ripped apart by the Ministry’s destructive practices came to light Tuesday night on RKR.
Betty-Ann Burnett had been a high school teacher, with a background in family counseling; so it was natural, when she and Allan had their own children that she decided to stay home to raise them. Friends who’d had foster children, after seeing them with their own toddlers, suggested that they should also take foster children into their home.
The Burnett’s first foster-child was the 2-year-old son of a 16-year-old who was pregnant again.
“Then we took a family of four–same mother, four different fathers… In 2001, we were planning to adopt them; the mother of these four was very supportive; she also wanted protection from her brother, who had put her on the street.
“Then she passed away. [One of the children] wrote to her Mom; the social worker found out that the mother had died. We were told not to tell the children. The social worker was going to tell them, because she was ‘a professional’.
“The social worker and the team leader came to our home. ‘I guess you’re wondering why we’re here,’ she said to the children. ‘Your mother passed away.’
“The kids asked, ‘Passed away? What does that mean?’
“She told them, ‘She died.’
“The oldest boy asked, ‘Will there be a funeral? Can we go?’
“The social worker said, ‘No. She’ll be burned.’”
“Very professional!” exclaimed Terry O’Neill. “What tact!”
“[The oldest boy] remembered having his hand burned on a stove; he remembered the pain. He was very upset,” said Mrs. Burnett.
Kari Simpson said, “The Ministry knew she was sick, but they didn’t make any arrangements for the children to see her…”
Mary-Ann Burnett answered, “The children were not allowed to see her. They arranged for the children to be taken to see their grandmother in another province; the children were terrified. They’d never met their grandmother, and they thought they were going to have to stay with her.”
At that point, Kari Simpson, who had by then become involved in the family’s problems, intervened; and instead, the grandmother came to see the children at the Burnett’s home.
“They were talented kids,” Kari recalls. “You had them in a singing group; they used to sing at seniors’ homes… they were also good swimmers and skiers.”
“A new social worker came on the case,” recalled Mary-Ann Burnett. “We had a new one about every six months. The previous one had said because the singing group was called ‘The Burnett Singers’, the foster children, who were part of the group, could use the Burnetts’ name. But the new one said, ‘No. You have to use your legal names.’
“By this time, [the oldest boy, by then 14] was pretty disturbed, and began staying out late. He started smoking marijuana…
“One day, he showed up a school with some marks on his neck. The social worker said, ‘Call the police.’
“Another social worker came on [the case] in December; she hadn’t even met my husband… she spoke to me on two occasions before she took them [the children] and laid charges of assault [against Allan Burnett]…
“The social worker took [T] to the police; she told them he couldn’t write very well [which was not true], so she prepared the police statement for him…
“I was home with the other four children–[V & T] were not there at the time–and the social worker, a child protection officer, and two police came and said, ‘We’re here to arrest your husband for assault.’ The police took the children downstairs. They told me, ‘We’re going to have to remove your husband from the home while we investigate this.’
“I said, ‘No way.’ Then they said, ‘We’re going to have to make emergency accommodation for the children.’ They went to the children and said, ‘We’re going to take you to another place, just for a night or two. Get a change of clothes.’
“[J1] ran away; [J2] went to the police and said, ‘This is wrong. My Dad’s a good man.’
“It was like a circus on our front lawn. [J2] tried to hide behind a tree, but the police found him. Later, I got a call from [J1]: ‘I’m at my friend’s; can I come home?’
“The social worker got a restraining order, saying that [T] can’t stay there. So [when he called] I had to say, ‘I’m sorry; you can’t stay here.’
“My husband was going to court every month. It was always a Ministry delay. After a year, he was acquitted.”
Kari Simpson recalled, “During this time I got a call from [V]–an articulate, concise, brilliant young woman… We had a secret meeting at the school. She said, ‘We want to come home.’
“We got them home; they escaped from the social workers. And when the social workers and the police came for them, I had the media there. The social workers and the police all disappeared.”
Mary-Ann Burnett told RKR, “After that, the children were afraid to go to school.
“The Ministry sent a letter saying that the children [could go to school; they] would not be apprehended. But the social worker went to the school and took them, one at a time.”
The story of that deception sparked a memory for Terry O’Neill: “We did an exposé of the social work school when I was editor of BC Report. They taught the students, ‘In the interest of your client, break the law. The law can be stupid. Do what you have to do; what you think is right.’”
Kari Simpson recalled, “One boy was on his own; we got him a lawyer. This young man ended up being able to stay in your home.”
Mrs. Burnett said, “He was five when he arrived. He was 17 when the Ministry decided he should try ‘independent living’… He thought this would be good, because he’d be able to get his sisters to live with him. These children have not lived together since 2002.
“[A] would phone and say, ‘Mom, I’m not supposed to talk to you. I’m in Port Moody.’ By this time, she was seriously into crack cocaine. [B] is doing well; she’s out of this province.
“How many social workers do you know who have so much time on their hands that… this social worker has been in touch with her–she’s now 21–and has convinced her that she’s her ‘best friend’.
“The social worker called and asked, ‘Could you talk to [J]? He’s not bathing, and we’re worried about mental health issues. I called him and talked to him. He showered and changed his socks.
“I just talked to [J2] at Christmas and his birthday; [T] is currently in jail. I got a letter from him, addressed ‘To Mom and the rest of the family…’”
Terry O’Neill commented, “It’s amazing that despite the malfeasance of the Ministry–there’s no other word for it–there are still bonds… I congratulate you for the wonderful job you did… You haven’t given up on them.”
Kari Simpson said, “This problem is epidemic… these children don’t have voices. So many families have been destroyed, and the parents have given up because ‘What’s the point? No one cares!’
“Well, we care!
“We need to put affidavits on these kids’ files, so when they grow up they can sue the Ministry. Nothing brings an understanding of reality quicker than financial accountability.
“These stories will not be put aside!
“Bruce McNeil, the same director who figures in the Baynes’ story, figures in this story.
“Madame Minister, are you listening? Madame Premier, are you listening? You said during the leadership campaign that your government would put ‘Families First’. This is a chance to make that true.”
RoadKill Radio’s coverage of State vs Family in BC will continue.
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My child was removed because I refused to lie to my family doctor after being told by MCFD that the lie was necessary “to cover the actual costs and compared to what I could afford”. I had complied at first when it was just for a day then two, then it was to where they wanted all five days. I became suspicious and refused at that point to continue. MCFD then closed my file with glowing reports for both me and child and said that no neglect or abuse was the cause for my child’s moderate developmental delays. A month later my child was removed for “have significant developmental delays. What the social worker did was take the medical report and replaced moderate with significant. They also suggested that my mental health was in question and that the team leader herself was aware of mental health crisis in the past. This team leader sent me to their psychologist for an assessment and I went three times but after talking to a lawyer I went to adult mental health and explained that I required an evaluation for this team leader.
What I read in my file a year after the removal and first time I laid eyes on the evidence is that the team leader had another social worker tell me at one point that I had the right to keep my child from her father. My lawyer at that time for the divorce said no and do not do it. So I did not. The same social worker then called the mental health care provider and told her the same false information three months later. When I heard it from the person I trusted who would not at that time tell me who told this to her for fear that I would not follow through. I did take the advise and my ex then called the police and I was forced to hand her over. The team leader then writes to that ”because the police had to be called out after I refused to hand over the child she now questions my mental health.
Now a year later and after I contacted our premier Christy Clarke. MCFD now claims they never sent me to any mental health practitioner, never wanted an assessment and there appears to be no record of me ever seeing their Dr Renolds of whom I did spend three hours with before contacted a lawyer.
Mt child was removed march of 09 and I still don’t know the real reasons why since they have now rolled on all four articals mentioned on the removal. I tried the resolution board and they took seven months to get around to the first package of questions I had. I sent a second during that seven months since it was clear they were not going to answer anything. They are just now getting to that second package and already they are late, and they are only doing so because I contacted my premier. My ex is currently keeping me from seeing my child. I have not seen her since OCT. Legal aide here is a joke all my lawyer would do for me is book court dates. Whoopee!! did nothing for me. So for the past year and a bit I have been trying to do the leg work that legal aide will not do and am getting nowhere because I am not a lawyer. I sure would like to know how to get my story out there and what do to. One worker retired as soon as my ex got custody and she told quite a few stories. In fact she is the one who made the allegations against me then latter it was she who investigated her own allegations. The team leader has now also moved on and so just like the retired FRA worker none of what either did can now be questioned has they are not there to answer. I’m am so frustrated. Oh and also it was in my file that I am a welfare scammer so I guess I should never have agreed to lie at all. and this they claim to be a medical diagnoses until they were asked to provide this document. Now it doesn’t exist never did and I was never sent to their shrink or any other. The team leader claims to be aware of my mental health file and states quite clearly that she knows I have been diagnosed with bi polar, this is not true and my mental health care provider was more than willing to go to court on my behave but nope the legal aide lawyer would not invite her.
I’m currently suffering through a similar situation.
I’m not going to get into extreme detail if anyone wants the full story they may email me at cellphonesales@ojooo.com
Our son has been apprehended twice now on false claims both times. We have been proven innocent twice he was returned once then they took him again less then 2 months later. They still have him and are trying to place him with family members that we have seen maybe 4 times in 10 years that live 4 hrs away from us. We have local family willing to take him seeing as they refuse to return him to us. The ministry doesn’t even tell us half the time what is going on with our child. We still have supervised visits even though it was proven we didn’t do anything. I feel like I have no options and there’s nothing we can do does anyone know if there is anyway to sue the ministry for false claims, harassment, lost wages and pain and suffering. And how do we get our child back. Something needs to change with the way the ministry works they are protecting our son from loving parents and they are trying to take him away from us by placing him with family who will never let us see him.
I have had my rights violated and trampled on by MCFD I was forced to give up my child for adoption based on fabricated evidence of so called missed visits the alleagations which removed my child were never founded or untrue. I have been denied legal aid. I tried to sue MCFD as I had no counsel my security of a person was damaged and so was my heart. My son was removed 1997 he wasn’t adopted until 2002. I was able to get my application back into court under civil, but like I said lost, so I am to be forced to give up my child and never get him back based on fabricated evidence because I can’t afford a lawyer omg! MCFD are so cruel heartless evil. I know am not the only parent they have done this to what is a parent like me to do? My application was dismissed April 12, 2012 without a lawyer that is why I need one or I won’t be able to proceed. I may to court of appeal but the reality is it will just be dismissed because MCFD are never accountable! I can’t believe it forced not to have my kids in my life because I can’t afford a lawyer! I am on face book and I will fight MCFD and I will expose them as I have legal documents now this mother has been pushed to far! I just try and tell my self don’t panic I believed that in 2006 when the adoption order was made that It was final it was over, however since I got my case back into court I can start the process again and appeal and I will fight MCFD and not give up because I got this far I have the same Director Bruce McNeill as the Baynes and Derek Hoare I don’t know about any body else but I have had enough of the Director trampling on my rights! I just needed to vet thank you I have asked people for donations or a lawyer who will represent me as I was denied legal aid so here I am thinking maybe you guys can find a lawyer who will take my case it is civil not family anymore I find it sometimes really overwhelming fighting MCFD by my self I am hoping to get a response and support I will fight MCFD tooth and nail and I won’t ever give up and we must join forces and expose them and keep fighting until they are made accountable!
Lisa Arlin’s story is one of discrimination that has and continues to transpire across Canada: As is the case with parents of children with medical and developmental diversity, PARENTS with disability too, face unnecessary obstacles and oppression. Removing children from loving families must STOP!
Lisa explains circumstances here: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151549886300224
As spokesperson for PROTECTING CANADIAN CHILDREN, http://protectingcanadianchildren.ca/ I have followed the harsh reality Canadians face. We are gaining a notorious negative reputation for failing our most vulnerable. In Ontario, 83% of children who are recipients of Child Intervention Services, are those with special needs. In Alberta, the figure is 70% and similar statistics follow across the Country. Instead of allocating resources to families directly, Governments have resorted to requests of guardianship relinquishment and out of home placements of children with extraordinary needs. Similarly, parents with disability are expected to surrender their children for adoption rather than provide in-home support! This type of mentality surpasses cruelty; it is infringement upon basic human rights and freedoms expressed under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The Public, largely, envisions a realm of “intervention” for “abusive” situations. However, the persons who actually comprise the System fall under an umbrella which ought never occur; those afflicted by circumstance alone without any Child Intervention issues. Forcing solid families to relinquish loved ones into government foster establishments – or – resorting to incarceration has become the present day version of institutionalism. Instead of funding natural families, we continue to conceal children with special needs in out of home foster placements or take children from the happy homes of parents who have medical issues themselves; a practice both detrimental to family and to child. Studies demonstrate that it is more cost-effective and safe to provide in-home care to families, yet resistance continues.
Social Welfare is meant to bolster families in crisis, not further berate and destroy. Siblings are torn apart, mothers separated in hospital from newborns, fathers distanced from offspring, and children are left to bear the disservice growing up with loss of identity in both culture and sense of belonging. Abuse within the System is well-established by studies and understandably leads to angry young adults without the skills or fundamentals to function effectively in Society.
Families accessing government funding solely for issues of medical need must be defined distinctly from those individuals requiring Intervention for abuse or negligence as per SAMANTHA’S LAW: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samantha%27s_Law Amendment to the Alberta FSCD (Family Support for Children with Disabilities) Act is retroactive to December 2006 stemming from my own child, Samantha Martin’s passing on December 3, 2006 and is defined in Section 2-3, Manual Amendments: Policy and Procedures in Family Centred Supports and Services: http://www.child.alberta.ca/home/527.cfm While Legislation exists, complaints continue to emerge from affected families who indicate that caseworkers are directing inappropriately. This is an issue which needs to be defined and revisited until a standard response is achieved. In addition, I seek recommendation of establishment of Samantha’s Law beyond Provincial territory to benefit all Canadians so that individuals like Lisa Arlin and her family are protected from prejudicial interference.
Yours sincerely,
Velvet Martin
This sort of thing is happening all over Canada. There is a group in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada that advocates family unity, family values and family solidarity; something Ontario’s Child Protection System just does not respond to. This group’s name is, The Commitee, ( People-4- People ).
This group’s manifesto goes something like this, ” Family is the most basic and fundamental collective, in our society. From Family grow neighborhoods, communities, regions, towns/cities, all coming together to form this great nation. To attack families is to strike at the heart of our Nation, at the molecular level, like a disease, causing all kinds of negative symptoms, symptoms we can plainly see, from poor economy, to lawlessness in the streets. This is much the same as…say… an Influenza causes the human body to display negative symptoms like elevated temperature, fever, upset stomach and so on.”
If these Child Protection Agencies would help, rather than hinder solidarity and unity within families, we just might see a stronger nation; one family at a time.