Parents fight for change after 13-year-old girl dies in B.C. homeless camp
CTV
Brianna McDonald's death was caused by a suspected overdose, according to her family. And her grieving parents are urging change so other families don’t have to face what they are going though.
Brianna MacDonald died last month in an Abbotsford, B.C., homeless camp. She was just 13 years old.
Her death was caused by a suspected overdose, according to her family. And her grieving parents are urging change so other families don’t have to face what they are going though.
Brianna’s mom said despite the family’s ongoing attempts to get her help for her addictions and mental health issues, their pleas were ignored in a system they said failed Brianna at every turn.
“She was robbed of so much, way too young,” said Brianna’s tearful mother, Sarah MacDonald.
Brianna’s story is tragic and complex. Her mom said her daughter started smoking pot at just 10-and-a-half years old.
“I got very upset with her. We had many talks about why it was dangerous and how she was way too young,” recalled Sarah MacDonald.
By age 12, Brianna was using a drug known as “molly.” And family said the more they tried to get her to stop, the more it seemed she wanted to use.
