Sask. government responds to Lee Bonneau inquest recommendations

Inresponseto 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 LeeBonneau.

Bonneauwas found critically injured on a southern Saskatchewan reserve and died in hospital. It was determined that a 10-year-old boy with a history ofbehaviouralproblems was responsible.

• Lee Bonneau inquest: 'Heartbreaking case', coroner says

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 whoare medically fragile or who have complex needs.

Of the 19recommendations, the province says it accepts 10 of them, will take four under consideration and will defer five of them to theYorktonTribal Council Child and Family Services.

• Read the Saskatchewan government's responses to the 19 recommendations