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 害羞草研究所� a temporary home for people to say while receiving medical care 害羞草研究所� 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.
害羞草研究所淪he had her own little plans to come out early,害羞草研究所� Sonja said. 害羞草研究所淪he was so beautiful, I was crying.害羞草研究所�
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.
害羞草研究所淲e went to get her [Sonja] dinner 害羞草研究所� we go back and they say, 害羞草研究所榃e害羞草研究所檝e apprehended your child.害羞草研究所� They were waiting outside of the hospital,害羞草研究所� Philip said. 害羞草研究所淭hey wouldn害羞草研究所檛 even let us up.害羞草研究所�
They were told they would be able to check back 害羞草研究所渋n a day or two,害羞草研究所� to learn more about the situation, Philip said.
害羞草研究所淲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 害羞草研究所� we害羞草研究所檝e got money for a hotel room, we害羞草研究所檙e not leaving from here,害羞草研究所� Philip said. 害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e not disappearing. We害羞草研究所檙e not leaving until we get an answer.害羞草研究所�
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.
害羞草研究所淚 speak to my baby in my language,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淭he only way she害羞草研究所檚 going to learn her language is as an infant.害羞草研究所�
As of now, the couple has no idea when they will be able to take their baby home, but will get to visit her 害羞草研究所� separately and for only 30 minutes each.
害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e heartbroken, it is horrible what害羞草研究所檚 happening,害羞草研究所� Sonja said. 害羞草研究所淚t is not right. They害羞草研究所檙e violating my rights and my daughter害羞草研究所檚 rights. She害羞草研究所檚 breastfeeding and they害羞草研究所檙e not doing anything to get the milk. I don害羞草研究所檛 know who has my baby right now.害羞草研究所�
Despite the unknowns and painful realization they won害羞草研究所檛 have Amella in their care, the couple made it clear they wouldn害羞草研究所檛 be leaving Victoria 害羞草研究所� or the legislature 害羞草研究所� without their child.
害羞草研究所淚f we have to sit out here for the next six months, they害羞草研究所檒l have to start to recognize these things are going on,害羞草研究所� Philip said.
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