Local

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Supervisor didn't know Sinclair's social worker was full-time student

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 11/28/2012 1:38 PM | Comments: 0

Delores Chief Abigosis (centre) testified she took Steve Sinclair at his word when he told her on July 6, 2001, that Phoenix was being well cared for by friends. (JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES) Photo Store

Related Items

Articles
- Questions continue for Abigosis at Sinclair inquiry
- CFS worker trusted baby's dad
Columns
- A disconcerting case of bad memory loss

The supervisor in charge while Phoenix Sinclair's case file sat idle left says she doesn't know why the social worker assigned to it wasn't working on the case.

Angie Balan told the inquiry into the little girl in care's death this morning that she did not know that social worker Delores Chief-Abigosis was attending university classes full-time while working for Winnipeg Child and Family Services.

Chief-Abigosis told the inquiry Tuesday that she was juggling a full-time job, attending university full-time and commuting from Brokenhead First Nation, 82 kilometres north of Winnipeg. The social worker Tuesday was questioned about gaps in the file on Phoenix Sinclair and her family from November 2000 when Chief-Abigosis started at the agency and inherited the file and February 2001.

Phoenix was apprehended after she was born in April 2000 from her parents Samantha Kematch and Steven Sinclair. To get her back, they signed a service agreement with CFS that set out conditions for getting her back -- including meeting regularly with a social worker.

Chief-Abigosis didn't visit the family until February 9, 2001. She didn't see them again until July. She didn't know that Phoenix's parents had a second child April 29, 2001 until the hospital notified CFS of the birth.

Chief-Abigosis couldn't recall why there were no notes of her doing any work on the file.

Her supervisor, Balan, testified on Wednesday that she expected the social worker was keeping in touch with the family and doing the case work.

"The necessary contacts were not maintained," said Balan. She could not say why because her supervisory notes "have not been made available," she said. Her testimony continues today.

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

In which story did you find the error? *
Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.
What was the error? *
Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.
What should we have written?
Please indicate your source for the correct information.
Who else should we interview to improve this story?
Please include any contact information you may have.
Can we contact you in the future for advice on stories about this topic?
Yes

No
First Name: *
Last Name: *
E–mail Address: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Phone: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Colour:
Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.
Enter the words that you see: * This is to prevent our forms from being filled out automatically.
You have failed to correctly identify the words in the box above. Please try again.

More Local

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.