In documenting failures of state officials in wake of the fatal fire at the Drop-in Centre, the recently-concluded Commission of Inquiry (CoI) found that they failed to hire competent and qualified staff.
The inquiry has found “systemic failures at all levels” and that the persons in charge of the centre are collectively responsible for the state of affairs that led to the deaths of two young brothers, Joshua, 3, and Anthony George, 6.
As part of her mandate, Commissioner Windee Algernon was charged with reporting on whether there was a failure on the part of state officials to deal appropriately or adequately with matters that gave rise to the loss of lives and whether there were any unsafe or improper arrangements for the care, custody and welfare of the child.
In her final report, Algernon said the state officials failed to hire competent and qualified staff and put in place adequate supervisory and oversight mechanisms to ensure compliance with the Minimum Operational Standards and Regulations (MOSR).
