BABY DRUGGED WHILE IN BABYSITTER'S CARE

Many Hinton area residents were appalled last week after a local infant was
admitted to the hospital with an overdose of illegal drugs in her system -
an incident which occurred at a local day home.

On March 2, around 9 p.m., Hinton RCMP were advised by an Edmonton
emergency child protection worker after an 11-month-old Hinton girl was
admitted to the University of Alberta Hospital pediatrics unit under
suspicious conditions. Earlier that evening, the infant was brought to the
Hinton General Hospital due to the child's altered behaviour. The infant's
parent had just picked her up from a local day home provider.

The girl was transported to the University of Alberta Hospital for
specialized care where a toxicology screen discovered amounts of
amphetamine and methamphetamine. The levels found in her were described as
overdose.

Both parents were interviewed by Hinton RCMP and the Edmonton City Police
and it was determined that the ingestion occurred at a day home in Hinton.

The following day, Hinton RCMP executed a search warrant at the Hinton day
home known as "Caring Ways." The resulting search netted police large
quantities of amphetamine, methamphetamine and marijuana as well as various
drug paraphernalia.

A 22-year-old Hinton woman, the operator of "Caring Ways" day home, has
been charged with criminal negligence causing bodily harm and two counts of
possession of a controlled substance with intent to trafficking.

She will appear in Hinton provincial court on April 4 to face these
charges. Hinton RCMP Const. Simon Pillay said this is an isolated incident,
but parents should nevertheless exercise caution and trust their instincts
when choosing a day home.

"Check with the Hinton Happy Day Care for referrals," he suggested. "When
you do find a day home and something seems wrong with the person, trust
your instincts."

He added it is important to invest enough time in checking out the day
home's background and referrals.

"See what other people have to say and check around in the community if
anyone has had a bad experience," Pillay said. "Even after you choose a
provider, make sure you monitor it closely. That should minimize the risk."

Hinton Happy Day Care assistant director Sharon Brown said the day care at
the local rec centre isn't associated with the charged day home provider in
any way. Happy Day Care is licensed and monitored by the provincial
government, Brown explained, adding it is the only government licensed one
in Hinton.

"(Caring Ways) probably had a small (town) business licence, which is not
monitored," Brown said.

Happy Day Care has the contract for day homes, but at this point doesn't
have any licensed day homes in Hinton, she said. "If anybody is willing to
put a day home in their house through us, we have the contract," Brown
said. "They have to follow the same regulations as we do."

Brown also advises parents to inform themselves about day homes. "If
parents phone about a private sitter, they should ask lots of questions and
educate themselves about the person who is going to babysit for their child
for the safety of their own kids," Brown said. "Ask for a criminal record
check, a social service check and a first aid certificate."

She added day care workers need more qualifications than teachers' aides.
Brown also suggests to check the day home's child ratio. "A 6:1 ratio is
good for older kids. With infants, four is enough. Otherwise it leads to
stress," she said. A source close to the family says the infant appears to
have recovered.