‘It was horrific’: B.C. teen with special needs seriously burned in bath while in ministry care

The mother of a teenager with special needs is speaking out after her daughter suffered severe burns from scalding bathwater.

The mother of a Chilliwack teen with special needs is demanding the B.C. government do more to protect vulnerable children after she said her daughter was burned during a bath while in ministry care.

Tina McGee-Drolet said her daughter Kherrigan was left with second- and third-degree burns.

“Putting her in a care home, you never expect an injury like this to happen,” said McGee-Drolet.

“Accidents happen, but this isn’t an accident. This is neglect…I’m angry, very angry.”

McGee-Drolet said the decision to put her now-16-year-old daughter in care a few years ago was a difficult one for the family.

“We could not do what we needed to do for her and also function as a family unit, and never mind work,” explained McGee-Drolet.

Born with a chromosome deletion, Kherrigan has severe developmental delays and requires round-the-clock care.

“She’s non-verbal. She’s fully dependant on everyday needs: feeding, dressing, changing, toileting,” her mom told CTV News. “She has always had to work really hard to do anything a typical child would do.”

McGee-Drolet said her daughter had a “wonderful” care home for about 3.5 years, but recently moved to a new home. She had only been there a short time when the incident happened.

On Jan. 14, McGee-Drolet said she received a text that her daughter was in Chilliwack General Hospital after being burned in the bath.

“Of course, we just rushed there, our family, and it was horrific actually,” the mother said. “The burns were from…the bottom of her feet all the way to mid-thigh, both legs.”

Her daughter was transferred to BC Children’s Hospital, where she eventually required skin grafts. She remains a patient at Sunny Hill Health Centre. Chilliwack RCMP confirm the incident is under police investigation.

In the wake of what happened, Kherrigan’s mom is calling on the province to bring in temperature regulations that ensure a bath does not leave a vulnerable child with burns.

“They have regulations for senior’s home, but nothing for these (children’s) homes,” she said.

“The hot water should be set at 49 degrees is the high limit. For a care home for children, it should be even lower,” McGee-Drolet said.

CTV News asked the Ministry of Children and Family Development about the call for new temperature regulations.

“This is a tragic incident and shouldn’t happen to any child ever,” said Jodie Wickens, the minister responsible.

“I absolutely agree with that recommendation and have instructed my staff to take action.”

Meanwhile, McGee-Drolet said she has taken her daughter out of ministry care.

After many weeks of being bed-ridden, she said Kherrigan is slowly healing.

“She has learned to walk again. She is a determined girl,” said her mom.

Despite the progress, Kherrigan will carry the scars of what happened for life.

An online fundraiser has been set up to help the family.