Emotional testimony from parents of 'L.T.', alleged killer of Lee Bonneau

The parents of the boy known as L.T. have testified at the inquest into the death of Lee Bonneau, the six-year-old boy who was found badly beaten on the Kahkewistahaw First Nation in August 2013 after walking away from a bingo he had been at with his foster mother.

L.T., who was 10 years old at the time, is believed to be responsible for the death. No charges were laid because of his age. His name can not be published and the names of his parents are also protected by a publication ban.

The inquest was called to look into the circumstances of Lee's death and provide recommendations on how to prevent similar deaths in the future. A coroner's inquest cannot assign fault or blame in the case.

On Wednesday, after hearing from a social agency for the First Nation and a pediatrician who diagnosed L.T. as having severe Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, the inquest jurors heard emotional testimony from the boy's parents.

"[He's] a beautiful boy," L.T.'s mother said, openly crying as she spoke about the boy who has been living in supervised care, not on the reserve, since Lee's death. "I just want my son home."

The woman said Lee's death has had a profound effect on her and she is now living a sober life after a long struggle with alcohol abuse. She said she has been turning her life around using traditional practices with the support and advice of elders and a family support worker from Yorkton Tribal Council's Family and Child Services agency.

The inquest had earlier been told that the woman took L.T. for an assessment in March of 2013 and learned of his FASD but it was difficult to follow up on the diagnosis.

The family does not have a car, she said, and they would need to take a bus at four in the morning to get to Regina for medical appointments or arrange for an overnight stay in the city, which was costly.

She said the family would have benefited from more consistent support and counseling from the child and family services agency. She added life on the reserve is difficult (she hitchhikes to a nearby town for groceries) and there are not many things for children to do in the summer.

L.T.'s father was in jail

The boy's father also testified Wednesday, telling the jurors it is very difficult for him to talk about his son without breaking down.

He described L.T. (the youngest of his six children) as a "happy kid".

"[He] liked to laugh, play, like all kids do," the man said.

He said had some concerns about L.T. staying out late at night, but had no comments about more serious behaviour problems.

He was not at home at the time of Lee's death, as he was in jail starting in June of that year.

He added that while he was sometimes the only parent for L.T., the boy's mother was largely in charge of taking L.T. to medical appointments.

When asked about the level of support the family had, from different agencies, he responded with short sentence.

"They did all they can, I guess."

The inquest continues Thursday.