IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT AYN WILL COME HOME

Today, word has been received by Amie Van Dyk, that she should expect to have her daughter Ayn released from Ministry care into the care of the child's mother. That's Amie. This news was conveyed by the social worker assigned with Ayn's case. The social worker reportedly made the announcement with permission from the supervisor. Understandably Amie is in shock, processing her exhilaration which seems surreal at times, difficult to believe and too good to be true. It will have been three years that this child has been withheld from the custody of either parent.


Announcements like this have proven to be too good to be true in some other cases in the past. I hope Amie will not again be grieved by a reversal of plans. The news cannot be confirmed until it is officially a judge's statement. June 3rd is a scheduled court appearance for Ayn's parents and the Ministry of Children and Family Development legal team. On that date the Temporary Care Order (TCO) concludes and the announcement infers that the Ministry will not press for a continuation. Nevertheless, the child, Ayn, will not be returned to father Derek, the primary caregiver to the couple's other two children, one of whom is also autistic. Until this past year, it was anticipated that when the child was returned it would be to the care of her dad. It became clear that increased visitation and unsupervised and overnight visits were permitted to mother and daughter. That seemed to point to a return of the child to her mother. No one is privy to the reasons why MCFD has chosen this course of action. Certainly neither parent has volunteered details. We respect their privacy, while rejoicing in what promises to be the best news possible.