Foster Home Would Have Closed Sooner Amid Sex-Related Allegations: MacLean

AM 1220 - Local

October 17, 2008 — It was not until a second person faced sexual allegations that a local foster home was closed. A former Children's Aid Society worker told the Cornwall Public Inquiry he only learned this week that another son at the home had been accused of having a sexual relationship with a teenaged girl who was in CAS care during the 1970s. Ian MacLean appeared emotional and had to take an unscheduled break during today's testimony. He says the foster home would have been closed sooner had he known about the earlier incident. The home was shut down after other girls levelled sex abuse allegations against a second natural son of the foster parents. Victims' Group lawyer Dallas Lee questioned MacLean. (Hear audio clip below) Hearings continue Monday morning at 9:30.

[Transcript of audio clip:   

MR. LEE: Would it also be fair for me to say that commonsense, even at that time, and certainly the attitude of the CAS would have been one of zero tolerance when it came to --- 

MR. MacLEAN: Yes. 

MR. LEE: --- wards of the CAS sleeping with members of the foster family? 

MR. MacLEAN: That was not the intention of care.  ]

CAS May Not Have Considered All Possible Risks-Inquiry

AM 1220 - Local

October 17, 2008 — The Children's Aid Society may not have considered possible risks to the community after a young man was accused of sexual abuse. The agency is facing questions at the Cornwall Public Inquiry after at least one foster girl levelled abuse allegations against her foster parents' son during the 1980s. Former CAS employee Ian MacLean says the son was never charged but the home was closed. Lead Commission Counsel Peter Engelmann questioned MacLean yesterday about the protection of girls outside the home after the accusation was levelled against the son. (Hear audio clip below) Hearings continue this morning at 9:30.  

[Transcript of audio clip:   

Mr. Engelmann: I know you're concerned about your wards, they're in the home, but what about other adolescent girls in the community? Was there any concern on the part of the CAS there? 

MR. MacLEAN: At that point I had no discussion around that. ]