Justice and Public Safety
August 18, 2016

Public Advisory: Child Death Review Committee Case Reviews

Under section 13.5 of the Fatalities Investigations Act, the Minister of Justice and Public Safety is required, within 60 days after receiving a report from the Child Death Review Committee (CDRC), to make public those recommendations relating to:

• Relevant protocols, policies and procedures;
• Standards and legislation;
• Linkages and coordination of services; and
• Improvements to services affecting children and pregnant women.

The CDRC forwarded two reports to the Minister of Justice and Public Safety on July 6, 2016, which examined unrelated deaths from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) that occurred in November and December 2015. These reports resulted in the following recommendation:

Recommendation

• Regional Health Authorities ensure that at the time of hospital discharge with a new baby, all parent(s) are provided with safe sleeping information by a health care provider following individualized discussion of sudden infant death risk factors.

The CDRC also forwarded two reports to the Minister of Justice and Public Safety on July 18, 2016.

One report examined the accidental shooting death of a child. The following recommendation was made:

Recommendation

• The Nunatsiavut Government meet with the RCMP, a representative from the Canadian Firearms Program, Nunatsiavut community stakeholders and leaders to identify and implement strategies to improve safe gun handling and storage practices among Nunatsiavut constituents.

The other report reviewed a motor vehicle accident that resulted in the death of a youth. The following recommendations were made:

Recommendation

• The Department of Justice and Public Safety develop restrictions for novice drivers designed to improve their safety.
• The Department of Justice and Public Safety increase education/awareness initiatives regarding seat belt usage and include initiatives customized for delivery to young drivers.
• The RNC and RCMP increase efforts to ensure compliance with seat belt regulations.

These reports have been forwarded to the Child and Youth Advocate.

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Media contact:

Jacquelyn Howard Director of Communications Department of Justice and Public Safety 709-729-6985, 689-2624 jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca

2016 08 18                              2:30 p.m.