We’re still slowly learning more about the death of a young boy on the Kahkewistahaw First Nation.
A 6-year-old boy was found fatally injured there Wednesday night.
Police haven’t revealed any suspects, but say they are following leads.
In a news release Friday, RCMP said Lee Allan Bonneau was last seen outside of the community hall playing with some dogs. People on the reserve said Bonneau’s foster mother was inside playing bingo.
Sergeant Craig Cleary made it clear those animals had no part in his actual death.
“We can definitely rule out the fact that dogs were not the cause of the injuries sustained by the young boy,” he told reporters.
The boy was missing for an hour and a half before it was reported to Broadview RCMP at 10 p.m.
Twenty minutes later, a search discovered the missing boy. He was severely injured. He died at the hospital in Broadview.
Bonneau’s mother said he was a “fun-loving boy” headed to grade two.
People that live on the First Nation are devastated.
“As you can imagine our community is in a state of disbelief and shock,” said Chief Sheldon Taypotat.
“We are a small community and a tragedy such as this affects us deeply. Our community is in mourning.”
Shawn Alexson lives on the First Nation and like many others in the community, wanted more information regarding the death. That’s why he showed up to hear what police had to say.
“Everyone is in shock to this. This is new, this doesn’t happen around here that’s for sure,” he said.
RCMP originally stated the boy was in the care of the Yorkton Tribal Council Family Services. However, in Friday’s release they corrected themselves saying that was false. Later in the day, the Ministry of Social Services confirmed that the boy was in their care when he died.
At a media conference in Saskatoon Friday on another matter, Brad Wall took a moment to offer his condolences to the family.
“There’s nothing that is more tragic than the loss of a child,” he said.”(We want) to send our sympathies out to the families and friends and express our regret at the tragedy.”
RCMP have made no arrests in the case and hope the results of an autopsy will give them a better picture of what happened.
Twitter: @princealbertnews
