A social services agency from Morley has been ordered by a judge to bring one of its clients to youth court in Red Deer.
The teenaged girl, whose name is protected through the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is facing criminal charges in Red Deer.
However, she has not attended her court dates as required and her lawyer has been unable to find her.
Defence counsel Michael Scrase advised Judge Jim Hunter in youth court on Thursday that his client, who has limited intellectual capacity, is a ward of Stoney Child and Family Services, which serves the Bearspaw, Chiniki and Wesley First Nations bands.
Scrase said he has been unable to reach the girl, despite numerous attempts, and that the social services agency has not followed through with his requests. He said his last information was that she was living in Calgary.
“It’s a disgrace. I’m completely frustrated,” he said in his submission to Hunter.
“They didn’t even follow through to the point of getting contact information. I don’t know what to suggest to the court.”
After a brief discussion with Scrase and Crown prosecutor Tony Bell, Hunter suggested a court order compelling the agency to either bring the girl to court on June 27 or attend in her place and explain why there has been no contact with her.
Accused people who miss their court appearances are normally subject to further charges.