– Baby Jordan
Baby Jordan was born in May of 1997. His mother had been unhoused for 4 years when she gave birth. After a brief hospital stay, mother and baby Jordan were transferred to a shelter and CAS remained involved for support. As a new mother she faced barriers accessing information and support around nutrition. When checking in on mom and baby, workers did not run full checks on baby Jordan and unfortunately, baby Jordan died of malnutrition in June of 1997.
In 1998, after a 13-month preliminary hearing into the death of baby Jordan, the judge ruled that the death of baby Jordan was a “terrible tragedy-one made even more so by the fact that it might have been prevented”. In April of 2001, after further investigation, 44 recommendations were made for changes to prevent similar deaths in the future. Changes were ordered to be undertaken by child protection workers, the Children’s Aid Society, homeless shelters, hospitals, public health departments, and the Ministry of Community and Social Services. One of the recommendations was for agencies to work more collaboratively to ensure that wherever a pregnant or parenting young person enters the service system, there needs to be continuity of services and supports in place.
Basrur 2001 Response to the Jordan Heikamp Jury Inquest Recommendations
Basrur et al (1998) No Fixed Address Young Parents on the Street