AG defends itself against allegations arising from RCMP probe

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This article was published 03/07/2017 (3026 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The office of Canada’s attorney general is defending itself against allegations arising from a Manitoba RCMP investigation into the death of a Peguis First Nation toddler in July 2014.

Manitoba RCMP were conducting a “careful, cautious and conscientious” homicide investigation into the death of 21-month-old Kierra Williams when they acted on the advice of the Crown’s office and laid charges against the girl’s older sister, the attorney general argues in a statement of defence.

In January 2015, the RCMP laid criminal charges against the parents of Kierra and the girl’s sister, Jasmine Bushie, 23. Charges against Bushie, of manslaughter and failing to provide the necessaries of life, were dropped late last year.

Bushie filed legal action against the RCMP and Intertribal Child and Family Services, accusing them of wrongfully accusing her and damaging her reputation.

Bushie argues she wasn’t living with her mother and stepfather in Peguis at the time of Kierra’s death and wasn’t there when the girl died.

Her claim asks the court to award aggravated damages due to loss of education, employment and her reputation as a result of the criminal charges she faced.

No hearing date has been set for her lawsuit, which was filed in January, about a month after the Crown stayed charges against her.

The federal attorney general’s office denies wrongdoing and argues Bushie was “fully aware” her sister was suffering and didn’t help her.

“The investigation was devoid of bad faith or any purpose inconsistent with the conduct of a full, fair and proper criminal investigation. The investigation was conducted in a careful, cautious and conscientious manner with the sole goal of gathering evidence and investigating the circumstances surrounding Kierra’s death, and determining who may, or may not, have been criminally responsible,” the statement of defence states.

It goes on to accuse Bushie of “showing wanton and reckless disregard for the safety and life of Kierra,” arguing Bushie was not only “participating” in the neglect of her sister but knew she was being physically abused and malnourished and didn’t report it.

The director of Intertribal CFS has also denied wrongdoing and argued Bushie “has exaggerated the nature and extent of any injury, loss or damage she may have sustained.”

Kierra was placed into CFS care at birth and was returned to her parents in July 2013. CFS continued to supervise the family until December 2013.

Kierra was pronounced dead after she was taken to hospital with broken bones, damage to internal organs and missing several teeth and part of her nose, the attorney general’s statement of defence says.

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @thatkatiemay