Phoenix case mishandled by workers, inquiry hears

A former child and family services manager testified Tuesday that Phoenix Sinclairs file was mishandled by workers.

Darlene MacDonald, formerly a program manager with CFS, told the Phoenix Sinclair inquiry in Winnipeg that workers did not do what she would have expected of themon Phoenixs file.

The inquiry is examining the circumstancessurrounding the death of five-year-old Phoenix. She was killed in 2005 on Fisher River First Nation. Her mother, Samantha Kematch, and her mothers boyfriend, Karl McKay, were convicted of first-degree murder in her death.

Phoenix spent much of her short life in the care of several child and family services agencies before she was beaten to death. Her death went undetected by workers for nine months.

MacDonald is now at the top of Manitobas childrens advocate office, but while Phoenix Sinclair was in the system between 2000 and 2004, MacDonald held a number of high-ranking positions with CFS.

Phoenixs file was closed seven times during her short life.

"I'm surprised if there's a lot of history in the case, it wouldn't have remained open," said MacDonald.

MacDonald said based on the familys lengthy history with CFS, she would have expected the file to be transferred to family services.

"[It] looked like they didn't have many supports in place, and I would have expected it be open long-term in family services," said MacDonald.

MacDonald testified that one worker should have been assigned to the family to develop a relationship with them.

She did not know why the agency didnt open the girls file for a long-term investigation, but speculated that high turnover and a massive restructuring of the agency could be to blame.

"Because of all the massive changes that were going on, there was an awful lot of turnover in staff that may reflect in the fact that there were so many workers involved in this case," said MacDonald.

MacDonald said it was especially inappropriate for staff to close Phoenixs file in March 2005 without having seen her.

"The child should have been seen," said MacDonald, adding that best practices were not being followed.

No child welfare workers disciplined

Despite testimony suggesting Phoenixs file was mishandled, no child welfare workers were disciplined following the death of Phoenix, according to a former CEO of Child and Family Services in Winnipeg.

Jay Rodgers testifiedMonday about what happened after the death of five-year-old Phoenix was discovered.

Rodgers said to his knowledge, no social workers were disciplined or censured for their work on Phoenixs file.

He also testified no one was ordered to take additional training because of their work on the case.

Controversial witness

Macdonald is a controversial witness at the Phoenix Sinclair inquiry.

She cameunder fire for comments she made in June 2012,criticizing the amount of money being spent on the Phoenix Sinclair Inquiry.

A First Nation leader and the provinces Liberal leader called for MacDonalds resignationafter she told the Winnipeg Free Press she thought the estimated $4.7 million being spent on the Phoenix Sinclair Inquiry could be better spent elsewhere in Manitobas child welfare system.

MacDonald later backed away from her statement and said she was trying to emphasize the work her office did.

The childrens advocate office has been involved in two reviews of CFS and had made about 200 recommendations to improve the system before the Phoenix Sinclair Inquiry got underway.