RCMP investigating child injured in foster care

RCMP in southern Alberta are investigating a foster home after a 15-month-old boy was taken to hospital with serious injuries, Children's Services Minister Janis Tarchuk said Thursday.

The boy was in provincial care when he was hurt earlier this week, she said.

"I do understand we have a tragic event — we do have a small boy that is in our care that has been taken to hospital with serious injuries and the police are now investigating, and I'm sure we'll know more within hours, or days," Tarchuk said.

RCMP confirm an incident involving the child occurred Monday night in Strathmore, 40 kilometres east of Calgary.

New Democrat MLA Rachel Notley said a reliable source has told her that it appears the boy was injured as a result of being shaken, and that there were too many foster children living in the home.

"This is the third time in just over two years that a child apprehended by government has suffered life-threatening injuries in care," Notley said. "Two previous incidents resulted in fatalities."

Notley called for an independent and public inquiry into Alberta's foster care system, but Tarchuk said there is no need for such a probe at this time.