Child and Youth Advocate’s latest report underscores the importance of adequate child intervention assessments

November 27, 2025

Edmonton, Alberta

Between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, 69 investigative reviews were completed for young people with child intervention involvement who passed away or were seriously injured.

After completing reviews for 60 young people who passed away and 9 who were seriously injured, the Advocate has released Calling for Change: Investigative Reviews Report 2024-2025. The report examines the circumstances of children and youth who ranged in age from 10 days old to 23 years old and makes three new recommendations to government.

For more than half of the young people, child intervention assessments did not fully reflect caregiver capacity, identified risks, or disruptions in relationships, factors that can influence safety, well-being, and long-term outcomes.

“It is essential that child-serving systems recognize young people’s needs and provide appropriate care. This begins with adequate child intervention assessments,” said Pelton.

One heartbreaking case is 19-month-old Eliza, who died from toxic opioid and methamphetamine exposure after previous concerns for her safety were not fully addressed.

This year’s report builds on previous findings about how compounding trauma, grief, and loss affect young people’s ability to cope with adverse experiences, which can impact their well-being and lead to pain-based behaviours including turning to substance use.

48 of the children and youth had mental health and/or substance use problems, and 33 died from substance-related causes.

“Many of these young people had horrific starts to their young lives, and that stays with them,” said Pelton. “While there are times when the government must intervene to ensure a child’s safety, professionals must recognize how this compounds their trauma and provide them with the support they need as early as possible to mitigate these impacts.”  

The Calling for Change report can be found here:
ocya.alberta.ca/reports/

The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate is an independent office of the Alberta Legislature. It represents the rights, interests, and viewpoints of children and youth receiving designated government services.

Media inquiries:
Stephanie Shantz
Manager, Communications
Office of the Child and Youth Advocate
780-218-9429
stephanie.shantz@ocya.alberta.ca