The right to be heard, Katelynn's Principle, and child-centred practice

Katelynn Sampson died in 2008 at the age of seven years old while in the care of her legal guardians. Katelynn’s guardians were convicted of second degree murder in 2012 and sentenced to life imprisonment for 15 years with no eligibility for parole. An inquest into Katelynn's death began in September 2015 and evidence was presented through to April 2016.

Jury evidence revealed that Katelynn was not interviewed privately at any point of child protection service provision, or in her involvement with family court. In addition, Katelynn’s African Canadian heritage was not included in documentation and appeared to have not been considered in assessment or service provision.

Katelynn's story, and the recommendations from the jury of the inquest, underscore the critical importance of identifying and understanding a child’s identity and the responsibility of child welfare staff to actively safeguard, nurture, and care for these identities.

In honour of Katelynn, a child whose identity and voice was not heard in her life, the first of the jury's recommendations was named Katelynn's Principle. Katelynn's Principle states that children must be at the centre when they are receiving services through the child welfare, justice and/or education systems.