A couple from Campbell River is camping in front of the B.C. legislature in Victoria in protest after officials removed their newborn baby from their care.
Sonja and Philip Hathaway have been in Victoria since the end of February, when Sonja began to experience complications due to her pregnancy.
The new parents stayed in Victoria General Hospital for two weeks after giving birth to their two-month-premature baby girl March 11. Once Sonja healed, the couple moved into Jeneece Place B次元官网网址� a temporary home for people to say while receiving medical care B次元官网网址� while their baby Amella was cared for by nurses until she too was strong enough to leave.
The couple was thrilled to have brought a baby girl into the world, after having previously lost a daughter after a complicated pregnancy.
B次元官网网址淪he had her own little plans to come out early,B次元官网网址� Sonja said. B次元官网网址淪he was so beautiful, I was crying.B次元官网网址�
However, Philip and Sonja were still settling a past legal issue and were told Sonja would have to be placed in a transitional house in Vancouver, without Philip. However, Sonja said she was assured she would be able to retain care of their child.
While the situation was not ideal, Philip said they agreed to it so Sonja could stay with her daughter.
However, the night before Sonja and Amella were set to leave, the couple said they were met at the hospital doors by case workers from the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
B次元官网网址淲e went to get her [Sonja] dinner B次元官网网址� we go back and they say, B次元官网网址榃eB次元官网网址檝e apprehended your child.B次元官网网址� They were waiting outside of the hospital,B次元官网网址� Philip said. B次元官网网址淭hey wouldnB次元官网网址檛 even let us up.B次元官网网址�
They were told they would be able to check back B次元官网网址渋n a day or two,B次元官网网址� to learn more about the situation, Philip said.
B次元官网网址淲e immediately packed our stuff and came here, even though we could have stayed at Jeneece Place another night, the police even offered to get us a hotel room B次元官网网址� weB次元官网网址檝e got money for a hotel room, weB次元官网网址檙e not leaving from here,B次元官网网址� Philip said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e not disappearing. WeB次元官网网址檙e not leaving until we get an answer.B次元官网网址�
Sonja, who is a member of the Dene First Nation, is concerned that with each moment that passes, she is losing precious time to instill in her baby tradition and language.
B次元官网网址淚 speak to my baby in my language,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭he only way sheB次元官网网址檚 going to learn her language is as an infant.B次元官网网址�
As of now, the couple has no idea when they will be able to take their baby home, but will get to visit her B次元官网网址� separately and for only 30 minutes each.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e heartbroken, it is horrible whatB次元官网网址檚 happening,B次元官网网址� Sonja said. B次元官网网址淚t is not right. TheyB次元官网网址檙e violating my rights and my daughterB次元官网网址檚 rights. SheB次元官网网址檚 breastfeeding and theyB次元官网网址檙e not doing anything to get the milk. I donB次元官网网址檛 know who has my baby right now.B次元官网网址�
Despite the unknowns and painful realization they wonB次元官网网址檛 have Amella in their care, the couple made it clear they wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be leaving Victoria B次元官网网址� or the legislature B次元官网网址� without their child.
B次元官网网址淚f we have to sit out here for the next six months, theyB次元官网网址檒l have to start to recognize these things are going on,B次元官网网址� Philip said.
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