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Family Loses Girl

January 1, 2006 permalink

This story shows a family destroyed by Children's Aid. A girl has run away from abuse in CAS care, and is too street-smart to fall for a promise of amnesty.

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Family story is heartbreaking

It is hard to imagine Gayle and Luke Beaudet's heartbreak. Their granddaughter, Danielle, has been missing since August 30, 2004. That's close to 1 1/2 years and no one seems to know for sure if she is alive or dead.

She is 16 years old, and was just 14 when she ran away from a Peel Children's Aid Society foster home. Her family has not heard from her since.

It is obvious they love her very much, and they want-- they need-- to know she is safe. They had hoped Christmas would bring a phone call. She is a troubled soul, a chronic runaway, but her grandparents want her to know that there is nothing that can't be forgiven and forgotten.

Their plea for her to call them is touching. And what better time of year for forgiveness and new beginnings than Christmas.

The 'whys' of the situation are not as important as knowing she is okay. She may be smart, and she may be very streetwise, but she is still just 16 years old, and she needs to know that, despite her troubles in the past, she has a family, she is loved, and she is wanted.

The Beaudets have agonized over this for far too long. Christmas was just another reminder that Danielle is still missing.

The search for her continues, although it has changed slightly. She is no longer a ward of the CAS, she is free to come-- or go again-- as she pleases. Her family and Peel police just want to know she is okay. Police resources are being spent trying to determine she is safe, but they could be used on other cases of missing children. All they are asking for is a phone call, no strings attached, and we hope they get it.

We know this case isn't that unusual in this day and age. In fact, it's far too common.

Even if it's only for a minute, just to say, "I'm alive and everything is okay," now is the best time to make a quick phone call to estranged loved ones.

It certainly can't hurt.

Source: Brampton Guardian

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