The Children's Aid Society of Toronto applied for a secure treatment order under section 164 of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act for the child SA, aged 13.
The mother supported the application, while the child and father opposed it.
The court first ruled that SA could not attend the hearing due to potential emotional harm.
After hearing evidence, including from a psychiatrist and social workers, the court found that all six criteria under section 164(1) for secure treatment were met: SA had a mental disorder, had caused or attempted serious bodily harm within 45 days, had a history of such harm/threats within 12 months, secure treatment would be effective, appropriate treatment was available at Syl Apps, and no less restrictive method was appropriate.
The court exercised its discretion to grant the order, committing SA to Kinark Child and Family Services, Syl Apps Youth Centre, for 180 days, emphasizing that this was the only way to provide hope for the child's healing given the exhaustion of all other less restrictive options.