Recommendations from Patricia Hennessey, Nash Campbell inquest

In three days of testimony this week, the coroner's inquest into the deaths of four-year-old Nash Campbell and his mother Patricia Hennessey heard a number of recommendations from witnesses.

The two died in a vehicle fire in St. Felix, near Tignish in western P.E.I., on June 21, 2013. Hennessey had lost custody of her son to the father the previous day. The deaths were ruled a murder-suicide.

Testimony is not complete, but many of the witnesses had common concerns.

Share information between agencies

Those working within government said they often felt they didn't have a complete picture of the family situation.

Psychiatrist Dr. Susan Stewart started seeing Trish Hennessey after she attempted suicide in May 2011. She told the inquest due to patient confidentiality, she couldn't share the details of her meetings with Hennessey and discuss her health with other agencies. She herself didn't have any information on Hennessey's prior criminal record or details of her involvement with victim services, child and family services, or probation services.

There was an attempt to get all those parties together to discuss the family issues in an effort to resolve them, but they could not find a date that worked for everyone, according to several witnesses.

Susan Maynard, manager of victim services, said legislation would need to change to allow more sharing of information without a client's permission. She was not aware Hennessey had threatened to take Nash's life and her own, in 2011, for example.

Wendy McCourt, director of child protection on P.E.I., said her department relies on families to report their involvement with other agencies, although staff can draw on information from those agencies, when a child is in need of protection, if they're aware of an involvement.

Dina DesRoches of probation services told the inquest, "There seems to be less sharing of client information now," than there was when she first started working within the system. She agreed that's due to privacy issues, and that legislation would need to change.

Several witnesses suggested a committee made up of representatives from all the agencies involved be set up to help families in crisis.

Establish a family or domestic violence court

The Crown asked several witnesses for their thoughts on setting up a separate family court on P.E.I. to handle situations where there are custody issues that also involve criminal allegations or other court orders.

Susan Maynard of victim services said a family court could allow a judge to get a full picture of a family conflict. She said there has been talk for years of setting up a domestic violence court on P.E.I. but there has been no action.

Dina DesRoches of probation services said it would benefit clients on P.E.I. to have the Crown, lawyers, judges, and mental health professionals, all involved in these cases.

Ensure access for both parents

Marc Campbell, Nash Campbell's father, told the inquest Hennessey refused him access to his son for months. He asked the jury to recommend that court orders come with an enforcement clause.

Stewart, Hennessey's psychiatrist, suggested there should be home visits at both homes involved for all custody cases,.

Some witnesses pointed to the need for a neutral third party to transfer a child between parents. The inquest heard, however, that family members in this role can grow frustrated with trying to negotiate the exchange.

Susan Maynard of victim services suggested that a neutral handover location would be a good idea for parental visits. 

Wendy McCourt of child and family services agreed with a suggestion from the coroner for a cooling off period for a parent who loses primary custody to limit contact with the child in volatile situations.

Appoint a child advocate

A lawyer or advocate should be appointed in custody cases, said Stewart.

"Nash's voice was not heard," Stewart told the inquest.

Child Protection director Wendy McCourt said the court can appoint a lawyer to represent a child, but that usually happens in cases where a child doesn't want to live with either parent.

Marc Campbell told the inquest he was there as a voice for his murdered son. He said the professionals that should have been looking out for Nash failed him, and he urged the jury to recommend an advocate in the future for children in custody disputes.

Better education and support 

Wendy McCourt, director of child protection service, suggested more training for staff in handling domestic violence cases. She said the last training for her staff was in 2009.

Dina DesRoches of probation services said her clients have benefitted from the Turning Point program which helps men deal with physical, emotional, financial, and verbal abuse. There is currently a one to two year waiting list to get in, she said.

The inquest will resume March 30 to hear from witnesses who were not available this week, including an expert on domestic violence.

Once the testimony is complete, the six-member jury will make recommendations for change aimed at preventing future tragedies. 

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