Owners of foster home charged with giving pot to youth

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This article was published 16/09/2024 (388 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The operators of a private, for-profit foster-care provider were in court Monday, facing criminal charges for allegedly giving cannabis to youth in its care.

John Bennett, 56, Christine Ormiston, 37, Ian Rabb, 59, and Kelli Register, 55, the owners of Spirit Rising House, were charged with distributing illicit cannabis and providing cannabis to a young person, court records show.

In February, the province’s families department was made aware of allegations Spirit Rising House staff was giving cannabis to youth who were in its care.

The Winnipeg Police Service, Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth and licensee Southeast Child and Family Services were all informed of the revelations. At the time, Winnipeg police confirmed its child abuse unit was investigating.

After hearing the allegations, the province severed ties with the company and launched a review of Spirit Rising House and other providers.

The department also issued a compliance order for Spirit Rising House to cease its cannabis distribution and advised child-welfare authorities and agencies not to place other youth there.

Register confirmed the charges and court appearance Monday but declined to comment further, saying her lawyers advised her not to speak with media about the case.

In May, Spirit Rising House released a 16-page document defending itself against the allegations, claiming there is “secret and implied consent” in the child-welfare system for youth in foster-care placements to use cannabis, alcohol and hard drugs.

“As long as the youth are off property and sourcing the illicit substances for themselves at great personal peril, government, guardians, systems and caregivers can comfortably look the other way,” the report said.

In its report, the business blamed a social media post by a “disgruntled former worker” that led to “negative media attention, political manoeuvring, and an investigation.”

Spirit Rising House had nine foster homes and two specialized group homes before the province severed ties with it.

The families department posted a notice to a Child and Family Services online bulletin board in April advising agencies to steer clear of Spirit Rising House and to “use caution when hiring individuals who previously worked at Spirit Rising House or who are now rebranding as REVIVE.”

As of Monday, there did not appear to be an internet or social media presence for REVIVE.

— with files from Erik Pindera

nicole.buffie@freepress.mb.ca