Hamilton Centre MPP Andrea Horwath says it is “reprehensible” that the McGuinty government has not ordered a stand-alone coroner's inquest into the March 2006 murder of eight-year-old Jared Osidacz, who was killed by his father in Brantford on a court-authorized, unsupervised visit.

Horwath held a news conference at Queen’s Park today with Jared's anguished mother, Julie Craven, and grandfather, John Craven, to call for “a full and proper inquest into the death of this dear boy.”

“We're seeking one simple thing: justice for Jared,” said Horwath, the NDP Critic for Children and Youth Services.

Jared's family is distraught that an investigation the boy's brutal slaying is being added on to the mandatory coroner's inquest set to begin June 16 into the police shooting death of the boy's killer. Andrew Osidacz, a convicted perpetrator of domestic violence, fatally stabbed his son on March 18 during a court-authorized, unsupervised visit. After leaving Jared for dead, the killer subjected the boy's mother to a vicious hostage-taking ordeal. He was shot dead by police as he held a knife to her throat.

Throughout their marriage, Julie Craven survived horrendous abuse at his hands. She had a no-contact order in place for four years prior to Jared's death.

“The Minister of Community Safety has sweeping powers to order a stand-alone inquest into Jared's death,” Horwath said. “Section 22 of the Coroners Act provides for ‘ministerial override. The McGuinty government has the legal means to quickly bring justice to Jared by ordering an independent inquest, formal standing and support for the Craven Family.”

“Where lessons can be learned and future child deaths can be prevented, the McGuinty government must step in immediately to support the victims and bring all the facts to light,” Horwath said.

After Jared's death, the Cravens successfully fought for legislation to ensure an inquest for all children whose deaths related to court-ordered access. Bill 89, Kevin and Jared's law came into effect on October 19, 2006. It was supposed to guarantee grieving families a mandatory inquest, official standing and help with legal fees. But none of this happened for the Cravens because Bill 89 isn’t retroactive to the date Jared died.

“Ironically, Jared's death isn't covered by his own law. The family can only have closure on this unyielding nightmare when the McGuinty government does the right thing and calls an inquest for Jared,” Horwath said, while observing this is National Victims of Crime Awareness Week.