Man awaits sentencing for sexually assaulting foster children in his care

A foster parent has been convicted of sexually assaulting two children placed in his care by the Ministry for Children and Family Development.

On Thursday, a B.C. Supreme Court jury convicted Kurk MacKay, 42, of two counts of invitation to sexual touching and sexually assaulting two children.

The offences took place from 2005 to 2009 and involve multiple incidents of sexual assault against a boy, for four years starting when he was five years old. The second victim was a seven-year-old girl.

The offences came to light after the children, who are not siblings, were no longer with the MacKays and had been placed in other foster homes. The two children eventually, separately, disclosed what had happened to West Shore RCMP.

“This is a very horrible situation and something none of these innocent victims should ever have had to experience,” Stephanie Cadieux, Minister for Children and Family Development, said Monday.

“I can tell you that, following allegations against this caregiver, the ministry began an investigation and notified police as per policy.

“As a result of the investigation, the foster home was closed, children were removed from this individual’s care and the contract with the caregiver terminated. Each of the children in care who were victims in this case has been offered and provided counselling.”

During the three-week trial, the court was closed to the public while the victims testified. The jury heard them describe serious, intrusive sexual assaults.

MacKay, his wife and his eldest daughter testified for the defence.

The jury deliberated overnight and found MacKay guilty of all four charges.

After the verdict, Justice Brian MacKenzie ordered that MacKay be taken into custody until he is sentenced.

MacKay is scheduled for a bail hearing today in B.C. Supreme Court. He is asking to be released from custody until he is sentenced. The court also expects to fix a date for sentencing. The charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of one year, up to a maximum of 14 years.