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2 - PORT PERRY STAR - Wednesday, August 8, 2001 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" 'Outpouring of gifts continue for Blackstock teens Local community and beyond continues to show support Fel | IOC BS 0 Nees x OR y y LD A WJ Cand fh fi 2 . 3 B c i hd . bpp we EK oA ; YN? J SPI pt wl Apr } Mink SY 4 CT : < > Lowe . .' ~~ i - : in y, i 7 : Af an if ER ; ok 3 ig EL! "i, 2 : ' 37 . 2? Ls * { 2 Spd ain a 2 Fal "Raa R R js Sik 2 Basie al ME a nx roe PE ! RT "ne # ol } Goa g 3 bh \ _ B SY rr) | = AER PAD FIA FAA 1 £7 aD amount of gifts and cash have been raised for the two brothers at the centre of a horrific child abuse case. Ashley Fallis, centre, Brandy Jones, right, and Abby McLaughlin, along with the help of Terri Fallis, left, have spearheaded the effort, which has seen support pour in from across Scugog and beyond. ¥ ? OAKRIDGE GOLF CLUB CFTR GIN Bummer. Warrer's Glen Our NEW Indoor Practice Facility. J) 7} / Aslc us about our Mant Cui 1 4 km north of Ashburn, off Ashburn Road, fol low the signs 4 km south of Utica - rea code 905.649.6212 ¢® From Port} 905, 085 .§ 190 WWW. ZO! Hoalaride ge Nalolal Thanks to the efforts of three young Blackstock women, a staggering By Rik Davie Port Perry Star How to deal with the huge number of gifts being donated to the Blackstock Teen Fund was a bone of contention for fundraisers and the Durham Region Children's Aid Society (CAS) this past week. The amount of gifts and cash are into the thousands of dollars for the 14- and 15-year-old brothers who police allege were kept in baby cribs converted to cages and suffered abuse that allegations claim went back for years. " Both boys are in foster care at separate facilities and the funds, as well as gifts, collected by Ashley Fallis, Brandy Jones and Abby McLaughlin (three local teens behind the fund) are piling up to a virtual mountain of goodwill for the boys. Dealing with the outpouring of dona- tions is being handled carefully by the CAS. Andrea Maenza, spokesperson for the regional childrens' agency, said the gifts are being given to the boys a bit at a time. "We did not want the boys (being over- whelmed) with these things at a difficult time for them," Ms. Maenza said. "Social workers and councillors are working close- ly with the foster parents to see that the gifts are dealt with in a way that's benefi- cial to the boys." Jim Dubray, Executive Director of the CAS here in Durham, said "we would like to express our gratitude to everyone for their interest and generosity." Mr. Dubray said that the boys, whose parents now face a string of criminal charges over allegations of physical and mental abuse, are doing very well given the situation. "We would like to inform everyone that the boys are doing well in their current placement and will receive all the gifts that have been donated." Sources close to the police investiga- tion also have concerns that while the boys are still being questioned by police about allegations, the gift-giving must not be seen as a reward for testimony situa- tion. Terry Fallis, mother of one of the orga- nizers of the Blackstock Teen Fund, said she is not concerned about where the gifts will go. "We have been told that the boys will get them," Ms. Fallis said last week. "I am sure that the CAS is handling this the best way they can." Those who wish to donate to the Blackstock Teen Fund can make cash donations at any branch in Canada of the CIBC. Inquiry into abuse case could follow, says minister By Rik Davie Port Perry Star According to the Minister of Community and Social Services and the Durham Children's Aid Society, there may be inquiries into how the case of two teenage boys whose parents face abuse allega- tions was handled. Community and Social Services Minister Tom Baird told The Star that he was horrified when he heard allegations that two Blackstock-area boys, aged 14 and 15, had been kept in make-shift cages built from baby cribs. The minister said it was hard for him to comment on specifics. "It is difficult for me to talk about individual cases," Mr. Baird said. "This case, from what I have read in the media, is probably the single most disturbing case | have ever seen dur- "Clothin All the styles, col summer that you BE " EE PRR a Ey We need ing my two years at the ministry." The minister said he has taken a special interest in the case. "I think | checked three times, to make sure that these kids get every single bit of support they can right away," Mr. Baird said. "Obviously when some- thing like this occurs we want to look at it and say what went right with this and what went wrong with this." The minister would not comment on whether the process by which the 49- year-old accused man and his 40-year-old wife (also charged) adopted the boys would be reviewed. A spokesperson for the Durham Children's Aid Society, Andrea Maenza, told The Star a review will take place after the case has progressed and the allegations against the par- ents have been heard in court. "We will get into the his- toronics of it | am sure," she said. Both parents, who each face a long list of charges, have been released on $10,000 bond and are awaiting the conclusion of the police investigation. As well, a former Blackstock resident also faces charges. Both boys remain in separate secure foster facilities.