Child protection trial under the Child and Family Services Act concerning a young child previously removed from the mother’s care following a suicide attempt and alcohol addiction.
The child had been placed with maternal relatives and later returned to the mother on an interim basis while she engaged in addiction treatment and counselling.
The court found the child in need of protection under s. 37(2)(b)(i) but concluded that the least intrusive order consistent with the child’s best interests was a 12‑month supervision order placing the child with the mother.
Evidence demonstrated significant progress by the mother in addressing mental health and substance use issues.
The court also ordered therapeutic intervention and structured steps to re‑establish access between the child and the father, whose participation in the proceedings had been limited.
