Child protection worker testifies at trial for Regina couple accused of killing girl, 4

A child protectionworker appeared on the witness stand as the trial of a Regina couple accused of killing a four-year-old girl in August 2012 continued on Wednesday.

• LIVE BLOG: CBC News reportsfrom the courthouse

Alicia Ward, a child protection worker with the Ministry ofSocial Services, was theworker assigned tothe sisters,aged 4 and 2.

Kevin and Tammy Goforth are charged withsecond-degree murder in the death of thefour-year-oldand causing bodily harm to thetwo-year-old.

At the time of the death, the two girls were being looked after by the Goforths.

Ward told court she wasdirected by her supervisor totake the sisters into care on Jan. 14, 2010in response todomestic abuse in the home of thebiological mother. This was before the Goforths were involved.

Ward describedthe girls as"pudgy".

"They were dirty, but also toddlers," she said, adding that although they were shy, they appeared to be happy as long as they could stay together.

Ward testified that when looking for long-term caregivers it was a priority to place them with relatives and that's how the girls ended up in care with the Goforths.

It was also pointed out that the two sisters were moved nine times since being put in the care of social services, and lived in seven different homes before moving to the home of the two accused.

Ward was also asked about the appearance of the older child, who died, and images taken at the hospital.

"Her face is gaunt, [her] body is slender. You can see the bones in her shoulders," Ward responded, noting it was a stark contrast from what she saw during her last in-person visit some eight months before the child's death.

Ward also said that she read a specific document to the Goforthsabout their responsibilities and rights as caregivers. But when a defence lawyer noted the document she referred to was created after the older girl's death, Ward confirmed that she could not have read it to them.

The jurors also heard testimony from two women who looked after the girlsbefore they lived with the Goforths.

Each described them as happy, relatively well-behaved, quiet and they said the older girl was potty trained.

One said the girlshad "good appetites".

In November 2011,the girls werestayingwith the Goforths.

Lawyers for both sides agree that the girl who died in 2012was suffering from a brain injury following cardiac arrest. They say she was malnourished and dehydrated.

2 witnesses took stand Tuesday

On Tuesday, the court heard from two forensic officers with the Regina police, and were shown pictures of both girls in the hospital.

Other evidence introduced included photographs taken atthe Goforth home, including one showing pink cloth with strands of hair attached.

During the testimony, both family members and accused Tammy Goforth cried.