The operators of a private, for-profit foster-care provider are facing criminal charges for allegedly giving cannabis to youth in its care.
John Bennett, 56, Christine Ormiston, 37, Ian Rabb, 59, and Kelli Register, 55, the owners of Spirit Rising House, were charged with distributing illicit cannabis and providing cannabis to a young person, court records show.
In February, the province’s families department was made aware of allegations Spirit Rising House staff was giving cannabis to youth who were in its care.
The Winnipeg Police Service, Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth and licensee Southeast Child and Family Services were all informed of the revelations. At the time, Winnipeg police confirmed its child abuse unit was investigating.
After hearing the allegations, the province severed ties with the company and launched a review of Spirit Rising House and other providers.
The department also issued a compliance order for Spirit Rising House to cease its cannabis distribution and advised child-welfare authorities and agencies not to place other youth there.
Spirit Rising House released a 16-page document in May defending itself against the allegations, claiming there is “secret and implied consent” in the child-welfare system for youth in foster-care placements to use cannabis, alcohol and hard drugs.
“As long as the youth are off property and sourcing the illicit substances for themselves at great personal peril, government, guardians, systems and caregivers can comfortably look the other way,” the report said.
Spirit Rising House had nine foster homes and two specialized group homes before the province severed ties with it.
— with files from Erik Pindera
nicole.buffie@freepress.mb.ca
Nicole Buffie
Multimedia producer
Nicole Buffie is a multimedia producer who reports for the Free Press city desk. Born and bred in Winnipeg, Nicole graduated from Red River College’s Creative Communications program in 2020 and worked as a reporter throughout Manitoba before joining the Free Press newsroom in 2023. Read more about Nicole.
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