Campbell to visit Grassy Narrows First Nation to speak with dead teen's parents

KENORA – Kenora MPP Sarah Campbell is pleading with the Ontario government to look into the in-custody death of a Grassy Narrows First Nation girl.

In a release issued on Monday by the provincial NDP, Campbell said she’ll be visiting the family of Azraya Ackabee-Kokopenace to discuss the death of their daughter.

Last week, in an open letter addressed to Minister of Youth Service Michael Coteau, Campbell demanded an inquest into the 2016 death.

The 14-year-old was living in the custody of the child-welfare system and had been picked up by the Ontario Provincial Police on April 15, the night she disappeared, out past her curfew at her agency home. Known to be suicidal, she was taken to the hospital and dropped off.

The youngster left the hospital around midnight and wandered into nearby woods, where her body was found two days later.

“I am joining already supportive calls from the Grand Council Treaty #3, The Chief and Council of the Grassy Narrows First Nation, and the Grassy Narrows Youth Organization for this inquest,” Campbell said in a release issued by the NDP on Monday.

“My Ontario NDP colleagues and I are committed to ensuring that the Ackabee-Kokopenace family gets justice on this very important issue.”