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 香蕉视频直播� a temporary home for people to say while receiving medical care 香蕉视频直播� 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.
香蕉视频直播淪he had her own little plans to come out early,香蕉视频直播� Sonja said. 香蕉视频直播淪he was so beautiful, I was crying.香蕉视频直播�
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.
香蕉视频直播淲e went to get her [Sonja] dinner 香蕉视频直播� we go back and they say, 香蕉视频直播榃e香蕉视频直播檝e apprehended your child.香蕉视频直播� They were waiting outside of the hospital,香蕉视频直播� Philip said. 香蕉视频直播淭hey wouldn香蕉视频直播檛 even let us up.香蕉视频直播�
They were told they would be able to check back 香蕉视频直播渋n a day or two,香蕉视频直播� to learn more about the situation, Philip said.
香蕉视频直播淲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 香蕉视频直播� we香蕉视频直播檝e got money for a hotel room, we香蕉视频直播檙e not leaving from here,香蕉视频直播� Philip said. 香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e not disappearing. We香蕉视频直播檙e not leaving until we get an answer.香蕉视频直播�
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.
香蕉视频直播淚 speak to my baby in my language,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淭he only way she香蕉视频直播檚 going to learn her language is as an infant.香蕉视频直播�
As of now, the couple has no idea when they will be able to take their baby home, but will get to visit her 香蕉视频直播� separately and for only 30 minutes each.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e heartbroken, it is horrible what香蕉视频直播檚 happening,香蕉视频直播� Sonja said. 香蕉视频直播淚t is not right. They香蕉视频直播檙e violating my rights and my daughter香蕉视频直播檚 rights. She香蕉视频直播檚 breastfeeding and they香蕉视频直播檙e not doing anything to get the milk. I don香蕉视频直播檛 know who has my baby right now.香蕉视频直播�
Despite the unknowns and painful realization they won香蕉视频直播檛 have Amella in their care, the couple made it clear they wouldn香蕉视频直播檛 be leaving Victoria 香蕉视频直播� or the legislature 香蕉视频直播� without their child.
香蕉视频直播淚f we have to sit out here for the next six months, they香蕉视频直播檒l have to start to recognize these things are going on,香蕉视频直播� Philip said.
READ ALSO:
hollie.ferguson@vicnews.com
Like us on and follow us on .
