Lee Bonneau's father says social services ripped apart family
Social services says warning signs included concerns over mental health and violent behaviour
The coroner's inquest into the death of Lee Bonneau continued on Tuesday at the Court of Queen's Bench in Regina.
The six-year-old boy died nearly two years ago on the Kahkewistahaw First Nation and his alleged killer was just 10 years old at the time.
Lee's father, David Bonneau, took to the witness box and answered questions about home life and his understanding of the family's experiences with social services.
David Bonneau
David said he felt his family was ripped apart and that social services often left him out of the loop.
"They don't want you to have a role," David said.
He said he only found out his son was apprehended when he called Lee's mother, Stacey Merk, to let her know he was going to visit for Father's Day in 2013. The parents were separated.
"She told me the story and my heart just dropped to my shoes," David said.
This echoes some findings of the child advocate's report last May, which says in part, that David did not receive sufficient support.
The afternoon continued with evidence from Patricia Hickie-Schaeffer, the supervisor of the Fort Qu'Appelle social services office at the time of Lee's death.
Social services
Hickie-Schaeffer said she didn't have an updated phone number or address for David when Lee was apprehended.
She also said there were many warning signs in Lee's case and his apprehension may have come earlier if they had followed protocol differently.
For instance, Hickie-Schaeffer said there were concerns about the mental health and cognitive abilities of Merk.
Merk previously testified on Monday and said she felt forced into signing forms prior to the apprehension of her child.
Hickie-Schaeffer said all attempts were made to try and help Merk understand.
Hickie-Schaeffer also said there were reports that David became violent after drinking. However, both parents denied David had problems with alcohol.
The boy police believe responsible for Lee's death, has still not come up at the inquest.
So far, three of more than 30 expected witnesses have given evidence.