Better support networks urged after baby drowns in bucket of homemade booze

EDMONTON — The drowning of a 10-month-old girl in a bucket of homemade booze should serve as a call for the province to reinforce support networks for children whose parents have addictions, Alberta’s child and youth advocate says.

A new investigative review from Del Graff looked into the death of the girl, who was living at home with her mother, but receiving services from child intervention workers.

Graff’s investigation found those services ultimately didn’t go far enough to ensure the girl’s extended family was working together to effectively protect her.

“Family and community members tried to create a safety network, but did not have the resources they needed; nor does it appear they knew what to do when the risk increased,” said Graff’s report, published Monday.

In his report, Graff used the pseudonym Lily, whom he described as a happy and curious girl surrounded by a loving family but plagued by her parents’ alcohol abuse. Their drinking often led to domestic violence, forcing their children to stay with grandparents.

Lily’s mother had been drinking the night Lily dies. She fell asleep while caring for her infant daughter.

“Lily’s older brother came home from school and discovered her body in a container of homemade alcohol,” Graff’s report said.

She was taken to the local health centre, where she was declared dead.

The girl’s mother pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing death, receiving 90 days in jail and two years probation.

The report calls on the province to ensure front-line workers receive enough support to allow them to effectively assist in the creation of support networks.