Death of Manitoba family: Mother of teenage victim sues child welfare agency

WINNIPEG –

The mother of a 17-year-old victim of a mass murder in Manitoba is suing a child welfare agency for allegedly failing to protect the girl.

In the lawsuit, Juliette Hastings alleges that Winnipeg Children and Family Services, the Directorate General for Children and Families and the Director of Children and Family Services were “negligent, negligent and careless in the performance of their duties” in relation to her daughter Maya-Lee Gratton.

The claim was brought to the Crown Court on Monday. A corresponding statement has not yet been filed, and the allegations have not been tested in court.

The lawsuit alleges that the home where the teenager was staying was not properly inspected and investigated after Maya-Lee raised concerns about her safety.

Maya-Lee stayed at home in Carman, Man. On February 11, the police found the teenager and four others dead in the house and in the surrounding area.

Ryan Manoakizik has been charged with five counts of first-degree murder in the murders of Maya-Lee, his common-law partner Amanda Clearwater, 30, and the couple’s three children: Bethany, 6, Jayven, 4, and two-month-old Isabella. Manoaki disease.

A court date has not yet been set.

Court records show Manoakizik struggled with meth addiction, anxiety and depression, as well as other major mental health issues. He was previously convicted of disorderly conduct and given an 18-month suspended sentence in 2019.

The lawsuit says Manoakizik had a known history of physical violence and instability.

“It was foreseeable that all occupants of the home would be at risk of serious harm or death,” the document states.

Maya-Lee had been living with the family since April 2023, after she told her mother she wanted to move out of their Winnipeg home, the lawsuit says. The teenager received services from the children’s services.

The lawsuit says Hastings did not approve of the placement and told the agency that the woman had been ordered to have no contact with her daughter.

The Karman home was too small for the couple, their children and teenager, the statement said.

“The house was in a chaotic state. It was unsanitary. It was a dangerous place for Maya-Lee,” the document says.

In October 2023, a violent physical altercation occurred with Maia-Lee and Manoakisik, the statement said. The Children and Family Service was notified.

“Miya-Lee specifically asked (Child and Family Services) to move her out of this home for her safety. Child and Family Services refused and neglected to take specific steps to properly investigate and ensure Maya-Lee’s safety,” the lawsuit states.

“(Child and Family Services) did not help Maya-Lee find a safe home.”

The Directorate General of Children and Families, which oversees Winnipeg’s Child and Family Services, said Tuesday it had not received the lawsuit and was unable to comment.

The lawsuit alleges that Hastings repeatedly called authorities between April 2023 and February, requesting that her daughter be moved to another home.

She also asked authorities to arrange for the RCMP to perform a well-being check at the home and pick up her daughter, the lawsuit says.

It said the RCMP referred the request to the agency and the mother also called the police.

The Manitoba RCMP said it could not comment because of the lawsuit.

Maya-Lee also spoke with a school counselor in Carman and asked for help, the lawsuit states. The councilor is believed to have appealed to the authorities, but nothing happened, the document said.

The lawsuit says Maia-Lee’s death was a “direct result of the defendants’ gross negligence and inaction” because authorities failed to conduct a proper home inspection and ignored warning signs that the teenager was in danger.

The suit seeks general, punitive and punitive damages because Hastings suffered “emotional, physical and mental distress as a result of the defendants’ failure to provide for Maya-Lee’s safety, protection and vital needs.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on October 30, 2024.