Premier Andrew Furey is directing Newfoundland and Labrador’s child and youth advocate to investigate “deeply concerning” information about how child abuse allegations were handled by authorities.
Furey made the announcement after CBC Investigates reported on unsealed court documents in the case of Tony Humby and Bruce Escott, two men facing a combined 86 charges related to sexual abuse allegations involving vulnerable youth in a St. John’s trailer park.
Those documents — untested in court — gave an account of multiple interactions with law-enforcement officials and child-welfare workers over a period of many years. Humby was interviewed by police about an alleged sexual assault as far back as 2007. But no arrests were made until 2023.
“The information coming to light in the case of two men in St. John’s charged with abusing youth over several years is deeply concerning,” Furey posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday morning. “I have directed the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate to conduct an investigation into this matter and report its findings.”
The advocate, Linda Clemens Spurrell, is an independent officer of the House of Assembly, but can be directed to conduct investigations by members of cabinet about matters “relating to the interests and well-being of children and youth.”
Furey was not available for interviews, a spokesperson said on Thursday, and no further information was available on the scope of the investigation he is requesting beyond what was posted on X.
Advocate ‘will investigate this matter forthwith’
In a statement to CBC News on Wednesday, prior to the premier’s post, the advocate’s office said Clemens Spurrell has “serious concerns about the content of the recent CBC story.”
The statement added that senior officials in her office have met to discuss the matter and “it is anticipated that steps will be taken in the very near future to ensure that the rights of vulnerable children and youth are protected.”
In a follow-up statement on Thursday, the advocate’s office confirmed it had received a request from the premier, and “will investigate this matter forthwith.”
The office declined further comment at this time, citing the integrity and procedural fairness of the investigation.
Criminal proceedings continue at provincial court against Bruce Escott and Tony Humby, who were longtime neighbours on Hussey Drive in the east end of St. John’s.
Escott has accepted a plea deal and is due back in court in November. He is charged with 14 offences.
Humby has pleaded not guilty to 33 counts; his trial is set to begin in March. The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary announced 39 more charges against Humby on Tuesday, in the hours after the first CBC Investigates story was published.
That story included the RNC’s account of how a 16 year old came forward in 2007 and said he’d been raped by Humby at his trailer. According to the documents, Humby was told no charges would be laid at the end of his interview with police.
How authorities handled child abuse allegations against Tony Humby and Bruce Escott will be investigated by Newfoundland and Labrador’s child and youth advocate. Premier Andrew Furey announced the review via a post on X, but was not available for comment. PC Leader Tony Wakeham outlined what the investigation should encompass.
Less than a month after that complaint, Humby was stopped by police on Blackhead Road at 3 a.m., with a trio of teenage boys in his car. The officer who penned the search warrant documents included a summary of the police report, which said the boys were believed to have been drinking. No charges were laid in that case either, at the time. But one of the boys came forward in 2023, alleging he’d been sexually abused by Humby and Escott.
Police also revisited the initial 2007 complaint, and laid a charge of sexual assault against Humby.
Another alleged victim told CBC Investigates he informed his social workers in 2009 or 2010 that he was being sexually abused by Humby and Escott.
He said he was told the RNC would follow up, but nobody contacted him. He is now suing the provincial government, alleging child protection officials neglected his safety.
The province has yet to file a statement of defence, and a spokesperson said they cannot comment as the matter is before the courts.
Investigation comes after PC pressure
Furey’s announcement of an investigation came the morning after Opposition Leader Tony Wakeham urged the government to take action.
“If I was premier of Newfoundland and Labrador right now, I would be calling for an independent review to find out why — or how — this happened, why it took so long for it to be investigated, and what can we do to make sure that this never happens again,” Wakeham said.
The PC leader noted that many of the alleged victims were in the care of the province, and called for a comprehensive review of police and child welfare files.
PC Leader Tony Wakeham says the Newfoundland and Labrador Child and Youth Advocate could lead the independent review into whether there were failings by police or the provincial government into allegations of abuse made by youth about Tony Humby and Bruce Escott.
Asked by reporters how such an independent review would work, Wakeham referenced the child and youth advocate.
“We don’t have to wait forever,” he said Wednesday. “This should be started. We should be able to get to this immediately.”
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