‘We loved him and never wanted him to go’: foster mother of homicide victim

Kevin Ray and Rene Bear-Ray (McCallum’s sister) looked after Kal for roughly 12 months, from the time he was about one month old. Bear-Ray said she always feared the day Kal would be returned to his father.

“He never showed interest in those 12 months, not up until he was in jail,” she said.

Bear-Ray said she learned her brother, who has four other children, took parenting classes while in jail. Once released, she said he was supposed to follow protocols before getting Kal back. One specific protocol required a six-month rehabilitation for anger management, she claimed.

“In only two weeks

Rene Bear-Ray said when Baby Kal was in their care, he was always a happy little boy. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Bear-Ray said the transition of guardianship took an emotional toll on her. She recalled one time being at home, crying uncontrollably as Kal stared up at her. In the following weeks, Bear-Ray said everything was fine and she babysat on a couple of occasions. However by mid-November she noticed a change in Kal’s behaviour, she said.

“We noticed he was scared of everything. He would cry as soon as he saw my husband walk in the room,” she said.

Bear-Ray claims she was told by her sister that her brother would yell and curse at his son. She said when they confronted her brother, he became defensive.

“He got mad saying how ‘you guys are only his aunties. Don’t tell me how to parent; this is my kid and I’ll parent how I want. He needs to grow up to learn to be tough,'” she said.

Bear-Ray said when efforts to talk to her brother failed, she tried calling social services for help.

“I told them ‘you need to go check on him, this is not right.’ I said ‘[the father] is doing drugs. We can’t do anything about it and we need your help,'” she said.

Bear-Ray said the social workers told her they checked on the baby, but her sister who owned the house their brother lived in with the baby would say there was no visit. To add to her frustrations, Bear-Ray said all of her complaints would somehow end up getting relayed back to her brother which led to more tension in their relationship. Not soon afterwards, Bear-Ray was denied visits with the baby.

The next time she saw the baby was at last week’s funeral. After seeing his lifeless body in the small white casket, she said only one thought came to mind.

“I should have fought harder,” she said.

Bear-Ray said since Kal’s death she has shared her experiences with police and was told the ministry will conduct its own separate investigation. While acknowledging no investigation can bring Kal back, she said she hopes the people involved are held accountable for their actions.

“I want that worker to know it could have been prevented if she did help me,” she said.

The couple considered Baby Kal to be their child. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

paNOW has tried to reach the mother of the child but she was not available for comment.

In a previous conversation with the Ministry of Social Services last week, paNOW was informed the ministry could not confirm any involvement with the family. Due to the recent allegations, paNOW tried once again for a comment, and was emailed a statement.

“This is a tragic situation, and our thoughts are with the loved ones, friends, family and community. Please note that we are unable to provide you with information at this time. This includes whether the Ministry of Social Services has or had any involvement with the child or family.”

Kelvin McCallum Jr. is currently being held in custody and is scheduled to make his next court appearance April 10.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

‘We loved him and never wanted him to go’: foster mother of homicide victim

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