Inquiry into Manitoba girl’s death hears of more mistreatment by her mother

WINNIPEG – An inquiry into the death of a five-year-old Manitoba girl is hearing more details of how the girl was mistreated by her mother.

A witness says Samantha Kematch displayed no affection toward her daughter, Phoenix Sinclair.

The witness, who cannot be identified under a publication ban, saysin March 2005 Kematch made the little girl walk about one kilometre to another home without any help.

The witness says when friends tried to hold Phoenix’s hand as they walked through the Winnipeg streets, Kematch yelled at them not to help the girl.

The witness already testified Wednesday that Kematch had locked her daughter in a bedroom and left the home on at least one occasion.

The inquiry is looking into how child welfare failed to protect Phoenix, who spent part of her life in foster care before being returned to Kematch, who, along with her boyfriend, later beat the girl to death.