Child protection

New Brunswick's child welfare department dismissed repeated warnings about a teen it had cared for, then refused him addiction help before he died.

Confidence: Confirmed · 5 sourcesNew Brunswick · Oct 6, 2026

Subject of this story

Cindy Miles, Minister of Social Development, New Brunswick

Daniel Mills, Deputy Minister of Social Development, New Brunswick

New Brunswick Department of Social Development

Also named

Oversight

Kelly Lamrock, Child and Youth Advocate of New Brunswick

What happened

In May 2026 New Brunswick's Child and Youth Advocate, Kelly Lamrock, reported that the overdose death of a 16-year-old formerly in government care reflected systemic failure and a lack of humanity in the Department of Social Development: at least 15 warnings about his safety were treated in isolation and dismissed, and the department declined his request for help getting addiction treatment months before he died. The advocate learned of the death from a non-profit rather than through government channels. Social Development Minister Cindy Miles accepted the report's recommendations, the legislature unanimously ordered committee hearings, and at a June 2026 hearing the deputy minister, asked why the warnings were dismissed, said 'Frankly, I can't.' The advocate has since opened investigations into three more deaths of children known to the department.

Sources (5)

Government of New Brunswick: Statement from the Minister of Social Development (25 May 2026)Today's report from New Brunswick's child and youth advocate details the roadblocks young people have faced trying to access help when they needed it most ... Too often, systems ask children and youth to prove they are unsafe enough, or traumatized enough, before they can access help.

The Canadian Press (via National Newswatch), 25 June 202615 separate warnings were 'treated in isolation and dismissed'; Deputy Minister Daniel Mills: 'Frankly, I can't' explain why the teenager received insufficient help.

The Canadian Press (via National Newswatch), 25 June 2026Social Development Minister Cindy Miles accepted all the recommendations in Lamrock's report; legislators unanimously directed the social policy committee to hold hearings within 30 days.

CBC News (via Yahoo News Canada), 23 June 2026at least 15 warnings to the Department of Social Development about his safety; a non-profit organization, rather than government, alerted Lamrock to the case.

CBC News (via Yahoo News Canada), 23 June 2026Social Development received over 15 calls expressing concern, yet denied his request for addiction treatment assistance; advocate investigating three more deaths.

Response

Cindy Miles

Not yet contacted

Not yet contacted for this story.

Daniel Mills

Not yet contacted

Not yet contacted for this story.

New Brunswick Department of Social Development

On-record admission

Contacted and made an on-record admission — exact wording not on record.

What happened next (0)

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