Ayn Van Dyk
While in custody, she was heavily drugged on anti-psychotics as her frantic father Derek, fought tirelessly for her release.
So it was with great trepidation that I recently set out to learn what had become of her in the many months since I had followed the story. To my great and utter delight, the Freedom for Ayn blog has reported that the family’s horrible ordeal of more than five hundred days is now drawing to a close. Ayn is coming home very soon.
While details are scant, it appears that her father finally had his day in court.
In a time when we’re overdue for good news, this is indeed a candle in the darkness. Ayn won’t be the same little girl who wandered out of her yard so long ago and the damage to this family has been done, but at least now the recovery and healing can begin.
For more details on Ayn’s story, here’s a timeline of previous posts that shed more light on her and her family’s plight:
The State vs. Autism Families – June 26, 2011
Nine Year Old with Autism Still Being Kept from Her Father – July 17, 2011
Update on Child with Autism Removed from Home – August 4, 2011
Child with Autism Taken by Authorities, Remains in Custody - January 29, 2012
Agency Involved in Autism Case No Stranger to Controversy – February 13, 2012
Justice Sought for Autistic Girl Seized by Canadian Government - March 12, 2012
UPDATE — WE RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING NOTE FROM A REPRESENTATIVE AT PROTECTING CANADIAN CHILDREN:
Yes, Ayn is coming home to her daddy and 2 siblings. Derek, however, did not receive his day in court… Actually, MCFD entered with a deal to avert a trial just days prior to a scheduled hearing. An agreement was reached in which the Ministry conceded, no finding of need to intervene existed! More than a year and a half has transpired since the nightmare began; an unacceptable delay of justice.
The story of Derek Hoare and his little girl, Ayn, is a tragic one; one that sadly, is afflicting many Canadian households: Children with disability, such as Autism, are being herded under the scope of Child Welfare Intervention despite absence of negligence or abuse.
SAMANTHA’S LAW in the neighbouring Province of Alberta could have averted this tragic demonstration of Ministry’s ignorance towards the disabled community in British Columbia. Caring families dealing with issues of medical and developmental diversity must be handled distinctly from the Child Welfare Intervention Model.
Sincerely,
Velvet Martin,
Spokesperson for Protecting Canadian Children
http://www.protectingcanadianchildren.ca
Thanks for the specifics, and the clarification. Settling short of trialis even better. Sweet vindication.
Sadly this kind of things happens in the US way too much as well. Real horrors slip through the cracks, and innocents are persecuted.
Again, I appreciate your message.
Yes, Ayn is being reunited with her family! Why is it with such utter sadness that I post this? The damage, as Velvet Martin has stated, has been done. One cannot change the past=the damage child ‘protection’ has done IS unchangeable. A child with autism has a much more difficult time trying to adapt to changes. This is a fact. Therefore, in my mind, the damage our Canadian government has done this child (and her family) is far from done…it has just barely begun! I have been researching other countries just to see where else might be an actually democracy…
Please share the results of your search…
Susan, thank you for posting this….and keeping those of us who want to be aware, but just are not as aware as we should be, thinking. My GOD, the horror of this is unthinkable! If one of my tagged dogs were out, it would be returned to me. And they speak of ‘lightening the load’ of this father?? I cannot imagine the depth of anger, rage and hostility he must feel. It’s reprehensible what has been done to this beautiful girl, her family, and so many other ‘unseen’ children. Reading these posts and watching the videos made me cry….for the beauty of a parent’s love for a child….then sob, for the government’s complete and total disregard for these children. Blessings to Ayn and her family, and may they survive and thrive, despite what has been done. My hope is that Ayn will grow to know there truly ARE good people in the world, who love and cherish her for who she is and who she will become!
Amen!
I’ve been frightened for this girl since a friend of mine first shared the story with me. This truly is something that will NEVER end for that girl. She’d been traumatized…and it’ll never let go of her. And if the government really wanted to “lighten” her father’s “load” they would have provided services and given him support. Not abducted his child and drugged her until she was unconscious. That’s what kidnappers do. Not officials who are looking out for someone’s “safety and well being”.
Yes, it’s truly horrific…