B.C. Ministry of Children in question again after mother raises alarm over daughter's suicide - Action News
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British Columbia

B.C. Ministry of Children in question again after mother raises alarm over daughter's suicide

"I want answers to how the decisions were made, who made them, why they were made and why no one would listen to me."

Lisa Fraser says her daughter took her life a day after she was no longer in provincial care

Lisa Fraser's daughter Carly killed herself a day after she turned 19 and was no longer in provincial care.

A womaninBurnaby, B.C., is calling for theMinistry of Children andFamily Development to review her daughter's case following her suicidea day after she was no longer in care.

"The last four years have been arollercoaster," said LisaFraser.

B.C. NDP Leader JohnHorgansaidFraser'sstoryis another example of the ministry'snegligence, following the death of AlexGervais, who was 18 and in provincial care when he fell or jumped from the window of the hotel he was living in, alone.

Frasersaid she voluntarilyput her daughterCarlyin the ministry's care when she was 15 and was struggling with mental health and drug issues. Fraser, a single mother with mental health issues herself, said was no longer able to cope.

"I was trying to get her help," said Fraser, who added that up until then, social workers had only offered family counseling, which Carly had refused.

Frasersaid she and her daughter were happy with the care she received at the home whereshe was placed.

"The first year, I thought she was doing great," she said.

'Ran out of time'

ButFrasersaid a year later, when her daughter was 16,Carly'ssocial worker told her she would be placed in a basement suite, alone.

Lisa Fraser says she wants the government to review her daughter's case. (CBC News)

"She just said Carly ran out of time," said Fraser. "She'd never been by herself."

Frasersaid from then on,Carly'slife spun out of control. She said her daughter was sexually assaultedtwice in as many months. She attempted suicide several times,quit school and her part-time job.

The NDP said Carlythenbounced around between anothergroup home and living with friends.

Fraseradded thather daughter'ssocial worker suggested Carlygo to a treatment centre for a psychiatric evaluation, but that never happened. She said social workers didn't respond to her questions and calls to help her daughter.

In 2014, a day after she turned 19 and was no longer in care,Carlytook her life.

Mom wants answers

"I want answers to how the decisions were made, who made them, why they were made, and why they wouldn't listen to anything I said," saidFraser.

The province said it will not launch a review becauseCarlydied a day after she was officially out of their care.

"It's not true that they age out with no supports," said Minister of Children and Family Development Stephanie Cadieux.

"There isactually a lot of support availableas they make that transition. But we do know that there's always more we could be doing."

With files from Richard Zussman