Phoenix Victoria Sinclair

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perhaps, if social workers had kept a better eye on Phoenix’s family, she might have been permanently taken away from the mother who would help beat her to death. Phoenix Sinclair was born on April 23, 2000 to Samantha Kematch and Steve Sinclair. Both young parents who had a history of violence and were unprepared to care for an infant. Phoenix was taken by child welfare from the time of birth, and spent her life in and out of her parents care.

 

On September 5, 2000, Phoenix was returned to her parent’s under a plan that requires Kematch to undergo a psychological assessment and for the couple to have regular visits from an in home support worker. The plan was never enforced and social workers have no direct contact with the family for four months.  

 

In 2003, after Phoenix's parents split up, Phoenix was seized from her father after a day of drinking and partying at his home where suspected gang members were present. Sinclair was ordered to undergo alcohol counselling before he could regain custody and had told social workers he wasn't ready to parent again. Regardless of his parental wishes within a few months, Phoenix was given back to Sinclair, even though he had not undergone treatment. Her file was closed by caseworkers with no follow-up.

Shortly after that visit, Kematch and McKay moved to a house on the Fisher River reserve. Where they neglected and abused Phoenix, sometimes shooting her with a BB gun, and forced her to eat her own vomit. She was often confined to the unfinished concrete basement. One of McKay's sons witnessed the 15 minute assault that took Phoenix’s life. The son said "It was McKay who delivered the final blows, McKay and Kematch then wrapped up Phoenix’s body in plastic and buried her at the dump." Phoenix's death went undiscovered for nine months. While, McKay and Kematch continued to collect welfare payments with Phoenix listed as a dependent. In March 2006 McKay and Kematch were arrested and were convicted of first degree murder and are now serving life sentences.