Two weeks after the death of her daughter, Juliette Hastings clutches the urn that holds her ashes and speaks about the murder.
Her daughter, Myah Gratton, 17, was one of five people killed on Feb. 11, in Carman, Man., 85 km southwest of Winnipeg.
“So much has happened and there’s so much that opened my eyes to a lot that could have been done a long time ago,” Hastings said. “Nobody did anything they just closed their eyes.”
Ryan Manoakeesick is charged with five counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Gratton, his common-law partner Amanda Clearwater and their children, Bethany, 6, Jayven, 4 and Isabella who was two and a half months old.
Gratton’s body was found in a home in Carman where she lived with Clearwater and Manoakeesick.
Hastings said her daughter asked child and family services to place her with the couple. She said she told social workers that she worried for her daughter’s safety.
“He was angry about everything and anything,” said Hastings. “My baby was taken from me because CFS didn’t listen to me, to my words as a mother who has the right to speak up.”
Manitoba Child and Family Services told APTN News that it can’t comment on her death while the case is under investigation.
Manoakeesick is expected to make a video appearance on Monday to determine whether he’s fit to stand trial.
