Paediatrician to Take The Stand At Savannah Hall Inquest

Wednesday, October 24, 2007 03:59 AM

Prince George, B.C. - The Coroner’s inquest into the death of Savannah Hall continues today with testimony from Paediatrician Dr. Marie Hay.

Yesterday, the inquest heard from the “Team Leader” for family services which had Savannah and her mother Corinna Hall as part of their case load.

Scott Horvath said Corinna Hall, had shown up at the Ministry of Children and Family offices in Prince George “She was very distraught and said she couldn’t cope with Savannah and wanted to put her in temporary care .” He said she signed the documents handing her child over to the Ministry until she could get herself clear of drugs and alcohol.

That was one of four times that Savannah would be removed from her mother’s care.

Earlier in the day, Corinna Hall had shared her version of the events. Through tears, she said she didn’t have any recollection of signing any papers. She also said she had complained to homemakers during here supervised visits with Savannah that there were bruises on the little girl, but no one paid attention to her.

Later, the Ministry would hear that Savannah was being “restrained” in her bed at her foster home. Scott Horvath testified he attended to the home and described it as a “Middle class home, well maintained and there were no flags that would suggest there was reason for concern.” The “restraint” said Horvath, was “The type of walking harness that you would see any parent using on their active child in the mall.” He said he was satisfied the harness was a safety measure to prevent Savannah from harming herself when she suffered “night terrors.”

Savannah was taken to Prince George Regional hospital in January of 2001, then sent to BC Children’s hospital where she died two days later.

The pathologist who performed the autopsy on Savannah had testified three year old Savannah had succumbed to swelling on her brain, but he is not certain as to what caused the swelling.

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Posted on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 03:59 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: snappi on October 24 2007 8:02 AM

Oh my God! Its no wonder that poor little girl was having night terrors. I can only imagine the trama she must have experienced being taken from her mothers home and put into foster care. And 4 times? I see a problem here. And as for restraining a child my opinion hasn't changed. A child that has night terrors needs someone to hold her and tell her its going to be alright, not wake up and find she is restrained and only add to the terror. Even a child that has a nightmare needs to know they are safe and secure. That little girl needed to have her caregivers close so she could be cared for as she should have been.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on October 24 2007 8:23 AM

I think we all understand the trauma the child must have felt by being taken from her home and put in care of a foster Snappi,but you need to look at the alternatives.
It wasn't supposed to turn out this way, but it did.
Kids are not taken for no good reason,but
the alternative may not have been any better unfortunately.
Well,I quite recently sat on Coroners jury in a very similar case, and to be honest,it made me sick.
A child is dead and they didn't get that way by themselves.
The frustration comes from seeing all involved simply walk away because that's exactly what happens.
All the recommendations seldom change a thing really.
When this kind of thing happens,somebody IS at fault and they should have to answer for that in some way.
The problem with these inquests is that the jury is not allowed to attach blame,even when you finish up knowing damn well who screwed up,and that is simply wrong.
I am not allowed to say more about what I saw and heard,but I sure as hell wish I could!!

Posted by: Maggie on October 24 2007 9:46 AM

Let's think about this for a minute. We have no idea how many other children were in that home, nor do we know what their problems or behaviour patterns were. It could have been one of those children that inflicted injury on this child. Having friends that have been foster parents I know that any and all types of care and 'punishment' are approved by the Ministry. I also know that the Ministry doesn't always tell the foster parents the entire background of the children they place. Let's not lay all the blame on the part of foster parents who are doing their best and following the advice and recommendations of the Ministry.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on October 24 2007 1:23 PM

I don't see anyone being blamed including the foster parents?
The inquest isn't over yet, so we have to wait for the outcome,but in any case,blame will not be attached to anyone!
That is not the purpose of the proceeding.
We have no choice but to wait for the jury's recommendations and see if anybody is paying attention!

Posted by: snappi on October 24 2007 8:41 PM

I understand completely Andy, and I don't like it any better than you. I think I know which case you sat in on also and I feel for you, knowing what you had to hear, as well as knowing the frustration you had to feel knowing that no one would be held accountable. I think the whole system stinks.

Posted by: thereasonableman on October 24 2007 10:31 PM

"It could have been one of those children that inflicted injury on this child. "

Otherwise known as the "Polson Defence".