Parents of intellectually challenged Sask. woman turn to legislature after she spends 36 days in jail
CBC
The parents of an intellectually challenge woman who spent more than a month in remand are demanding action from the provincial government
Barbara and Barry Stuckey want the Ministry of Social Services to help get their daughter Jessica, 25, the support she needs. The Stuckeys were at the legislature on Tuesday as guests of the Official Opposition.
Jessica was put into remand at the Pine Grove Correctional Centre in November and would spend 36 days there before being moved to the psychiatric hospital in North Battleford.
She has been diagnosed with Smith-Magenus syndrome, which can affect facial features and can cause delayed speech, sleep disturbances and behavioural problems. She has been assessed as having the intellectual capacity of a six-year-old.
Before COVID-19 hit, her parents say, their daughter was living independently in Melville but the pandemic knocked her out of routine and away from her usual programming.
Barbara says she started calling 911 repeatedly, and eventually made threats.
"She went to mental health wanting to see someone there and they told her they couldn't help her unless she was threatening to harm herself or others so she said, 'I'm going to kill you.'"
She was charged with uttering threats and mischief.
Barbara said Jessica never should have been placed at Pine Grove, but said the psychiatric hospital did not have room for her.
"At first she was not getting medication. She doesn't operate well without her medication, so it was scary. I was expecting to be told she was beaten but the prisoners must have seen in her she could not help it," Barbara said.
Barbara said she is "scared and angry" about her daughter's situation: "I miss my girl."
Jessica was declared unfit for trial but her charges are still pending. The Saskatchewan Review Board heard her case last week and their decision is expected in the near future. In the meantime, she remains in North Battleford at the hospital.
Barbara said her psychiatrist recommended she be placed with Creative Options Regina (COR). She said the request is in its third year and has been told it is a funding issue for Jessica.
Jessica's psychiatrist in North Battleford says she will require constant supervision once she is released, Barbara says.
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