Phoenix Sinclair

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Phoenix Sinclair
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Died11 June 2005(2005-06-11) (aged 5)
Fisher River Cree Nation, Manitoba, Canada
Resting placeBrookside Cemetery

Phoenix Victoria Hope Sinclair (23 April 2000 – 11 June 2005) was a Canadian five-year-old girl who was murdered by her mother and stepfather. The circumstances of her life and death resulted in the Inquiry into the Circumstances Surrounding the Death of Phoenix Sinclair, one of the largest

child welfare
system.

Biography

Phoenix Sinclair was born on 23 April 2000 in

respiratory infection on 15 July.[2]

As of summer 2001, Phoenix's case had been referred to CFS on several occasions. The agency considered Steve Sinclair to be the "primary caregiver" of record for Phoenix. However, during this period she spent most of her time at the home of Kim Edwards, a family friend. The agency's file on Phoenix was closed in early 2002, but another was opened when Phoenix was hospitalized in February 2003, as medical personnel expressed concerns regarding possible neglect.

guardianship of Kim Edwards in early July.[2]

In April 2004, Samantha Kematch took Phoenix from Edwards for what was to be a temporary visit. Around this time, Kematch became involved with Karl "Wes" McKay, and Phoenix began living full-time with the couple; Steve Sinclair left the province to live in

nursery school in fall 2004, but school personnel reported never encountering either her or Kematch.[1][4] New CFS files were opened for the family in November 2004, when the couple had another baby, and in March 2005 after reports of abuse; both were quickly closed. McKay and Kematch moved to Fisher River Cree Nation in April 2005, taking with them Phoenix, their other child, and a twelve-year-old son of McKay's from a previous relationship; a second son (aged 14) also lived with them occasionally. Another CFS file was opened in May 2005 after someone claiming to be a relative called the agency with concerns of possible neglect.[2]

On 11 June 2005, Phoenix Sinclair died. In the period leading up to her death, she had been physically and verbally abused by both McKay and Kematch. She was made to sleep in a cold basement, was given very little food, and was forced to eat her own

vomit. McKay shot her with a BB gun and frequently played a "game" called "choking the chicken" in which he would strangle Phoenix until she lost consciousness. According to his testimony, on the day Phoenix died McKay's 12-year-old son saw his father beat her continuously for over 15 minutes as her mother looked on; when the pair left the house, the boy found that Phoenix was not breathing.[1]

Aftermath

McKay's sons were returned to their mother in Winnipeg by CFS in July 2005.

first-degree murder in late 2008 and sentenced to life imprisonment.[5] The convictions were later confirmed on appeal.[2] Phoenix was buried in Brookside Cemetery in Winnipeg in April 2009.[6]

An official inquiry into the case of Phoenix Sinclair was announced in October 2006 but was delayed until the completion of legal proceedings against Kematch and McKay. The

Can$10–14 million, making it one of the largest and most expensive in Manitoba history.[2][7]

The inquiry report, written by commissioner

curricula and to programs for supporting those on welfare, among others.[8] The province of Manitoba announced that it had or was planning to implement many of the suggested changes, and issued a formal apology, stating that "the child welfare system failed Phoenix Sinclair".[7]

Hughes concluded that

To truly honour Phoenix, we need to provide all of Manitoba's children with a good start in life, and offer to the most vulnerable an escape from the cycle of poverty and vulnerability... The public interest that this Inquiry has received encourages me in the belief that achievement of the better protection of all Manitoba's children, and especially the most vulnerable, will be the true legacy of Phoenix Sinclair.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Hughes, Ted (December 2013). The Legacy of Phoenix Sinclair (PDF) (Report). Vol. 2. Phoenix Sinclair Inquiry.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Sawatzky, Wendy; Sanders, Carol (30 January 2014). "Phoenix Sinclair: a timeline of key events". Winnipeg Free Press.
  3. ^ "Phoenix Sinclair's mom wasn't ready for child, inquiry told". CBC. 6 September 2012.
  4. ^ "School not in cards for little Phoenix". Winnipeg Free Press. 20 December 2012.
  5. ^ "Manitoba couple sentenced to life for murder of Phoenix Sinclair - CBC News".
  6. ^ "Phoenix Sinclair gets proper funeral 4 years after her death". CBC. 23 April 2009.
  7. ^ a b c d "Manitoba sorry for failing to protect Phoenix Sinclair". CBC. 31 January 2014.
  8. ^ Kusch, Larry (31 January 2014). "Sinclair inquiry report: more focus needed on long-term risks to children". Winnipeg Free Press.

Further reading

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