Sask. government responds to Lee Bonneau inquest recommendations
Boy, 6, beaten to death in 2013
In response to an inquest into the death of a six-year-old boy, the Saskatchewan government says a recommendation to put money into a special facility for children with complex needs under 12 years old needs further analysis.
That was one of 19 recommendations a coroner's jury made last month following the inquest into the 2013 death of Lee Bonneau.
Bonneau was found critically injured on a southern Saskatchewan reserve and died in hospital. It was determined that a 10-year-old boy with a history of behavioural problems was responsible.
The 10-year-old could not be charged because he was under 12.
Following two weeks of testimony, the jury recommended funding be made available for a facility for children under 12 with complex needs.
The provincial government said Thursday it will take this under consideration, but also noted there are existing residential programs located throughout the province for children under 12.
The province also says it boosted spending $2 million this year for specialized homes for children who are medically fragile or who have complex needs.
Of the 19 recommendations, the province says it accepts 10 of them, will take four under consideration and will defer five of them to the Yorkton Tribal Council Child and Family Services.