Latest news with #guardian
CTV News
04-07-2025
- CTV News
Neglected siblings not expected to fully recover
Vancouver Watch The guardian of three previously neglected children believes the siblings will never fully recover from the horrific conditions they were living in.
CTV News
04-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Rescued from conditions that left them ‘feral,' 3 B.C. kids now require ‘astronomical' levels of care: guardian
Three young Indigenous children are now in foster care, but relatives say their concerns for the kids' safety were ignored for years. Warning: the content of this story may be disturbing to some readers They used to be scared, even of each other. Now three young B.C. children, who relatives said suffered years of neglect before finally being taken into care, have learned to play together. And they've grown in other ways as well. 'To see them wanting the hugs and snuggles, to see them wanting to touch your face and your hair, and laughing and giggling with them, is the best out of all of this,' said their guardian, who is also a relative. But she also said that because of what the children, who are Indigenous, went through, their healing journey may never be complete. 'I do believe these are life-long issues that they will have forever,' said the guardian, who can not be named to protect the identity of the children. 'The conditions were horror' CTV News first reported on the children last year. At the time, relatives described the siblings, who are now between five and six years old, as 'feral'. A probe by B.C.'s Office of the Ombudsperson found six documented reports of possible neglect made to authorities over almost four years, before the children were taken into government care. Relatives said this finally happened when the parents contacted the ministry themselves in December 2023 and said they couldn't look after the children. But by then, relatives said, the damage was already done. 'The conditions were horror. That's all I can describe it as. They were living in feces, eating feces, they were (suffering from) malnutrition,' another relative told CTV News. 'I used to work with special needs kids, and I've never seen children like this in my life,' she explained. 'I sometimes wish we would have just took them illegally,' the emotional relative said. 'Astronomical' amount of care, support required The children's guardian said they believed that the kids could have been 'next-to-normal' had there been some kind of early intervention. She said the children still rock back and forth to sooth themselves. They are not potty trained and one of them will eat feces or vomit if not constantly watched. The guardian also said the children smash walls and hurt themselves and others. 'Scratching, biting themselves, just flailing their arms and legs. Kicking things, slamming their head against the floor if they can,' she explained. She said if someone tries to intervene, the children may attack them. 'I've had caretakers horrifically bitten,' she said. The guardian said it takes a team of caregivers to support the children. 'It's astronomical what it's taking to take care of these kids,' she explained. Additionally, they have seen countless medical professionals including psychologists, pediatricians and occupational and behavioural therapists. 'We do have a trauma counsellor that not only has seen the children, but that I see on a weekly basis because of the things that we deal with,' she explained. Struggling to access services The guardian said the oldest child is repeating words and trying to speak. The other two remain almost entirely non-verbal. Despite this, she said it's been difficult to get them into speech therapy because of years-long wait lists. 'These kids just don't have that time,' she explained. The guardian also said they have been waiting about eight months since referral to get into a highly specialized program at B.C. Children's Hospital where they will be more thoroughly assessed. The children are not in school, and the guardian doesn't believe it's an option for them yet. 'I don't think the schools are equipped to handle (them). I think they would be turned around 20 minutes after they got there,' the guardian explained. She also said that its worrisome that getting ongoing therapy and supports for the children leaves her at the mercy of the very ministry that failed them. But she said her love for the children keeps her fighting to give them the best life possible. Ministry touts changes The Ministry of Children and Family Development would not comment on the specific case, citing confidentiality rules. However, the ministry said it has updated its policy so that when the ministry receives multiple calls of concerns, it prompts supervisor to get involved. The ministry also said it has increased its workforce by almost 20 per cent, meaning more child welfare workers to help children. The province said it is also taking steps to strengthen oversight and accountability including creating a new Indigenous child welfare director position. Additionally, the ministry said that it is using new digital reporting to ensure children in care and in out-of-care placements receive regular in-person visits to assess safety and well-being.
CTV News
04-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Three B.C. kids once described as ‘feral' from neglect continue to struggle with trauma
Three young Indigenous children are now in foster care, but relatives say their concerns for the kids' safety were ignored for years. Warning: the content of this story may be disturbing to some readers They used to be scared, even of each other. Now three young B.C. children, who relatives said suffered years of neglect before finally being taken into care, have learned to play together. And they've grown in other ways as well. 'To see them wanting the hugs and snuggles, to see them wanting to touch your face and your hair, and laughing and giggling with them, is the best out of all of this,' said their guardian, who is also a relative. But she also said that because of what the children, who are Indigenous, went through, their healing journey may never be complete. 'I do believe these are life-long issues that they will have forever,' said the guardian, who can not be named to protect the identity of the children. 'The conditions were horror' CTV News first reported on the children last year. At the time, relatives described the siblings, who are now between five and six years old, as 'feral'. A probe by B.C.'s Office of the Ombudsperson found six documented reports of possible neglect made to authorities over almost four years, before the children were taken into government care. Relatives said this finally happened when the parents contacted the ministry themselves in December 2023 and said they couldn't look after the children. But by then, relatives said, the damage was already done. 'The conditions were horror. That's all I can describe it as. They were living in feces, eating feces, they were (suffering from) malnutrition,' another relative told CTV News. 'I used to work with special needs kids, and I've never seen children like this in my life,' she explained. 'I sometimes wish we would have just took them illegally,' the emotional relative said. 'Astronomical' amount of care, support required The children's guardian said they believed that the kids could have been 'next-to-normal' had there been some kind of early intervention. She said the children still rock back and forth to sooth themselves. They are not potty trained and one of them will eat feces or vomit if not constantly watched. The guardian also said the children smash walls and hurt themselves and others. 'Scratching, biting themselves, just flailing their arms and legs. Kicking things, slamming their head against the floor if they can,' she explained. She said if someone tries to intervene, the children may attack them. 'I've had caretakers horrifically bitten,' she said. The guardian said it takes a team of caregivers to support the children. 'It's astronomical what it's taking to take care of these kids,' she explained. Additionally, they have seen countless medical professionals including psychologists, pediatricians and occupational and behavioural therapists. 'We do have a trauma counsellor that not only has seen the children, but that I see on a weekly basis because of the things that we deal with,' she explained. Struggling to access services The guardian said the oldest child is repeating words and trying to speak. The other two remain almost entirely non-verbal. Despite this, she said it's been difficult to get them into speech therapy because of years-long wait lists. 'These kids just don't have that time,' she explained. The guardian also said they have been waiting about eight months since referral to get into a highly specialized program at B.C. Children's Hospital where they will be more thoroughly assessed. The children are not in school, and the guardian doesn't believe it's an option for them yet. 'I don't think the schools are equipped to handle (them). I think they would be turned around 20 minutes after they got there,' the guardian explained. She also said that its worrisome that getting ongoing therapy and supports for the children leaves her at the mercy of the very ministry that failed them. But she said her love for the children keeps her fighting to give them the best life possible. Ministry touts changes The Ministry of Children and Family Development would not comment on the specific case, citing confidentiality rules. However, the ministry said it has updated its policy so that when the ministry receives multiple calls of concerns, it prompts supervisor to get involved. The ministry also said it has increased its workforce by almost 20 per cent, meaning more child welfare workers to help children. The province said it is also taking steps to strengthen oversight and accountability including creating a new Indigenous child welfare director position. Additionally, the ministry said that it is using new digital reporting to ensure children in care and in out-of-care placements receive regular in-person visits to assess safety and well-being.
Barnama
26-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Guardian Donates Over 40 Million Baths To Underprivileged Children In Five Countries
KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Bernama) -- Health, beauty and pharmacy retail chain guardian has donated over 40 million baths to underprivileged children in five countries, including Malaysia, over the past two years. guardian Malaysia marketing director Anna Ng said the regional initiative reflects the company's commitment to making personal hygiene a basic right for every child, regardless of their background. She said the programme was launched in response to concerns about hygiene levels among children following the COVID-19 pandemic, as rising living costs have led many families to cut back on personal care essentials. 'Our mission is simple but powerful – to ensure every child has access to a clean bath. This not only builds self-confidence but also supports their mental well-being and school participation,' she said in a statement today. While the 40 million baths were a collective achievement across guardian's five regional markets, Anna noted that Malaysia continues to play a leading role through impactful local efforts, particularly the 'Together, Caring for Children's Hygiene and Health' campaign. The campaign includes interactive hygiene workshops in schools to equip students with knowledge and tools to care for themselves. It is also supported by guardian customers, with 15 sen from every purchase of a one-litre Guardian bath care product donated to the campaign, turning daily purchases into meaningful contributions. 'guardian has been part of the Malaysian community for 57 years. Our brand promise, #MYWellbeingMatters, reflects our long-standing commitment to supporting the well-being of Malaysians,' she added. As part of its ongoing community outreach, guardian Malaysia also provides emergency aid during crises.
CBS News
15-05-2025
- CBS News
Student charged after bringing unloaded handgun into South Jersey school, police say
A student and a guardian were charged after the former brought an unloaded gun to Winslow Township Elementary School 5 on Wednesday, police said. Police said on Thursday that officers went to the school at around 3 p.m. on Wednesday after a weapon was recovered. The student at the school was showing classmates a "BB gun," police said. The BB gun was later identified as a handgun, according to police. The weapon was taken from the student after staff at the school learned they were showing it to classmates. The gun wasn't loaded, according to police. Police said there weren't any threats made against the Winslow Township staff or students. The incident is under investigation.
