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 91裸聊视频� a temporary home for people to say while receiving medical care 91裸聊视频� 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.
91裸聊视频淪he had her own little plans to come out early,91裸聊视频� Sonja said. 91裸聊视频淪he was so beautiful, I was crying.91裸聊视频�
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.
91裸聊视频淲e went to get her [Sonja] dinner 91裸聊视频� we go back and they say, 91裸聊视频榃e91裸聊视频檝e apprehended your child.91裸聊视频� They were waiting outside of the hospital,91裸聊视频� Philip said. 91裸聊视频淭hey wouldn91裸聊视频檛 even let us up.91裸聊视频�
They were told they would be able to check back 91裸聊视频渋n a day or two,91裸聊视频� to learn more about the situation, Philip said.
91裸聊视频淲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 91裸聊视频� we91裸聊视频檝e got money for a hotel room, we91裸聊视频檙e not leaving from here,91裸聊视频� Philip said. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e not disappearing. We91裸聊视频檙e not leaving until we get an answer.91裸聊视频�
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.
91裸聊视频淚 speak to my baby in my language,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淭he only way she91裸聊视频檚 going to learn her language is as an infant.91裸聊视频�
As of now, the couple has no idea when they will be able to take their baby home, but will get to visit her 91裸聊视频� separately and for only 30 minutes each.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e heartbroken, it is horrible what91裸聊视频檚 happening,91裸聊视频� Sonja said. 91裸聊视频淚t is not right. They91裸聊视频檙e violating my rights and my daughter91裸聊视频檚 rights. She91裸聊视频檚 breastfeeding and they91裸聊视频檙e not doing anything to get the milk. I don91裸聊视频檛 know who has my baby right now.91裸聊视频�
Despite the unknowns and painful realization they won91裸聊视频檛 have Amella in their care, the couple made it clear they wouldn91裸聊视频檛 be leaving Victoria 91裸聊视频� or the legislature 91裸聊视频� without their child.
91裸聊视频淚f we have to sit out here for the next six months, they91裸聊视频檒l have to start to recognize these things are going on,91裸聊视频� Philip said.
READ ALSO:
hollie.ferguson@vicnews.com
Like us on and follow us on .
