Coroner’s inquest into Devon Freeman’s death continues in Hamilton – Hamilton

HAMILTON — The coroner’s inquest into the death of an Aboriginal teenager whose body was found near a group home is scheduled to continue today in Hamilton.

The inquest into the death of Devon Freeman began Monday at the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, of which he was a member.

Jurors heard that Freeman was reported missing from the Lynwood Charlton Center group home in the Flamborough area of ​​Hamilton in the fall of 2017.

He was found dead near the house in April 2018.

The inquest is expected to look at systemic issues that played a role in the teen’s death, including public policy and legal issues related to Indigenous children and youth in the child welfare system.

On Monday, jurors heard from two child welfare experts about some of the social and historical factors that contribute to the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in the system.