Inquest into Native teen girl's suicide in Manitoba

Thursday, February 22, 2007  

The government in Manitoba is holding an inquest into the suicide of a 14-year-old Native girl who was forced into the sex trade on the streets of Winnipeg.

Tracia Owen hanged herself in August 2005. She had been living at Project Neecheewam, a long-term care facility for Native girls.

Owen spent most of her life in foster care. According to news reports, she was placed in homes 64 times, and returned to her parents 17 times by Child and Family Services.

At Project Neecheewam, no one said they saw signs that Owen was in trouble. She had been working the streets and became involved with drugs months before her suicide.

The inquest began this month. It is expected to continue into April.

Get the Story:
No sign troubled girl was 'high risk': inquest (CBC 2/22)
Girl, 14, returned to parents, hangs herself (The Calgary Sun 2/7)
Teen put into foster care 18 times, inquest hears (CBC 2/7)

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