The jury at an inquest into the death of an Indigenous teen who went missing from a group home has issued dozens of recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths.
The proposal was among 75 recommendations delivered by jurors who analyzed the circumstances around Devon Freeman’s death and considered ways to prevent similar tragedies. The officer presiding over the inquest said the “right to return” proposal should be developed in collaboration with institutions at the inquest and adopted by the province as “Devon’s Principle.”We deliver the local news you need in these turbulent times on weekdays at 3 p.m.
On Friday, the jury thanked the people of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation where Freeman was from — and where the first day of the inquest was held — for welcoming them into their home. The five-member jury made dozens of recommendations directed at a number of players, including provincial ministries, Hamilton police, the Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton and the Lynwood Charlton Centre.
The jury recommended the creation of a case study training module for children’s aid societies and residential service providers regarding lessons arising from Freeman’s life and death. The jury said that effort should be led by the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation. Patrick Bissett, press secretary to Merrilee Fullerton, minister of children, community and social services, said the ministry supports the inquest recommendations and will review them before commenting on specifics.