Mother of Lee Bonneau testifies at inquest into boy's death

The inquest into the death of a six-year-old boyon a Saskatchewan First Nation began on Monday in Regina.

Lee Bonneau's mother, Stacey Merk, answered questions about Bonneau's home life.

Social services apprehended the boy a few months before another child allegedly beat him to deathon theKahkewistahaw First Nation.

• Coroner's inquest into death of Lee Bonneau, 6, begins

Merk told lawyers she felt forced to sign a form from social services before the apprehension of her child.

"They wanted to try to take him away from me from birth," she said of the ministry.

She said she regrets telling a social worker about her mental health struggles and thoughts of self-harm,which she saidcontributed to Bonneau's placement in foster care.

She also denied reports of domestic violence at home.

Merk and Lee's father, David Bonneau, had one child together before separating.

"He was a beautiful baby boy. He was happy," Merk said.

The child's father spoke to CBC outside the Court of Queen's Bench on Monday.

"The most important thing that I hope comes out of this inquest is that it never ever happens to another child again," David said.

So far lawyers have not brought up the other boy at the centre of the inquest. Bonneau's alleged killer was just 10 years old at the time.

Six jurors were selected on the first day of the inquest and 32 witnesses in total are expected to speak over the course of two weeks.