WINNIPEG-

The mother of a 17-year-old victim in a Manitoba massacre is suing a child welfare agency for allegedly failing to protect the young girl.

Juliette Hastings claims in the suit that Winnipeg Child and Family Services, the General Child and Family Services Authority and the Director of Child and Family Services were “reckless, negligent and negligent in their legal duty” to his daughter, Myah-Lee Gratton.

The suit was filed Monday in the Court of King’s Bench. No statement of defense has yet been filed and the allegations have not been tested in court.

The statement alleges the home the teenager was staying in was not properly checked and investigated after Myah-Lee expressed concerns for her safety.

Myah-Lee resided at the house in Carman, Manitoba. On Feb. 11, police found the teen and four other people dead in and around the home.

Ryan Manoakeesick faces five counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Myah-Lee, his common-law wife, Amanda Clearwater, 30, and the couple’s three children: Bethany, 6, Jayven, 4 years, and Isabella, two months. Manoakeeesick.

A trial date has not yet been set.

Court records show Manoakeesick suffered from a methamphetamine addiction and suffered from anxiety and depression, as well as other underlying mental health issues. He was previously convicted of mischief and sentenced to 18 months of probation in 2019.

The lawsuit says Manoakeesick had a known history of physical abuse and instability.

“It was foreseeable that all residents of the home were at risk of serious harm or death,” the document states.

Myah-Lee had lived with the family since April 2023, after telling her mother she wanted to leave their Winnipeg home, according to the lawsuit. The teen received services from the child welfare agency.

The lawsuit says Hastings disapproved of the placement and informed the agency, which told the woman to have no communication with her daughter.

Carman’s home was too small for the couple, their children and the teenager, the complaint states.

“The house was in a chaotic state. It was unsanitary. It was a dangerous placement for Myah-Lee,” the document states.

In October 2023, there was a violent physical altercation with Myah-Lee and Manoakeesick, according to the complaint. Child and Family Services has been notified.

“Myah-Lee specifically asked (Child and Family Services) to move her from this home for her safety. Child and Family Services refused and neglected to take concrete steps to properly investigate and ensure Myah-Lee’s safety,” the suit claims.

“(Child and Family Services) did not help Myah-Lee find a safe home.”

The General Authority for Child and Family Services, which oversees Winnipeg’s child and family services, said Tuesday it had not been informed of the lawsuit and would not was unable to provide comments.

The lawsuit says Hastings made several calls to authorities between April 2023 and February, requesting that her daughter be placed in another home.

She also asked authorities to arrange for the RCMP to conduct a health check of the home and remove her daughter, the suit states.

He says the RCMP forwarded the request to the agency and the mother also called police.

Manitoba RCMP said they were unable to comment due to the lawsuit.

Myah-Lee also spoke with a school counselor at Carman and asked for help, the lawsuit states. It is believed the counselor contacted authorities, but nothing happened, the document states.

The lawsuit says Myah-Lee’s death was “the direct result of gross negligence and inaction by the defendants” because authorities failed to conduct a proper survey of the home and ignored signs before -runners indicating that the teenager was in danger.

The lawsuit seeks general, aggravated and punitive damages, claiming Hastings suffered “emotional, physical and mental hardship as a result of defendants’ failure to provide for the safety, protection and necessities of life for Myah- Lee.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published October 30, 2024.