May 31, 2016 
BC Ministry of Children and Family Development 
2nd Floor 1727 W. Broadway Street 
Vancouver, BC   
V6J 4W6 
RE: Alex Radita’s death 
 
To Whom It May Concern: 
 
On  May  23,  2016,  upon  hearing  of  the  tragic,  preventable  death  of  Alex  Radita  in  2013,  I  was  deeply 
troubled and filled with much sadness and anger.  How could a boy of 15 years weigh only 37 lbs. at the 
time  of  his  death?    How  could  his  health  deteriorate  so  steadily  to  this  tragic  end,  without  any  medical 
attention in the five years prior? This heart-breaking news was brought to my attention the day before the 
start of his parents’ trial for first-degree murder. 
 
I first met Alex in 2004 when he was enrolled at B.C. Christian Academy in Port Coquitlam, B.C., where I 
taught  Kindergarten  along  with  my  teaching  partner.  Alex  was  assigned  to  our  class  and  I  remember  a 
chubby  little  boy  with  a  sweet  smile,  a  chatty  and  inquisitive  little  fellow.  We  had  been  informed  of  his 
preschool history, his diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, the withholding of insulin by his parents and his neardeath  hospitalization.    Alex  had  been  removed  from  the  family  home  prior  to  coming  to  our  school  and 
was in the care of a lovely woman with whom we corresponded regarding his progress. Alex had learned 
to test his own blood sugar levels, which I monitored, recorded and reported to his foster mom each day. 
His diabetes seemed to be under control and he appeared healthy and happy.  We never did meet Alex’s 
parents  or  any  of  his  eight  siblings,  but  we  were  aware  that  he  did  have  regular,  supervised  visits  with 
them. When a judge made the decision to return Alex to his parents, we were concerned for his wellbeing. 
We feared that his medical needs would not be met, that the insulin he required would again be withheld. 
Once back with his parents, Alex did not return to our school. Apparently, our fears were realized when, in 
2008, the Radita family moved to Alberta. For the next five years it appears that Alex suffered immensely 
without his insulin, until his death in 2013.  
 
We  live  in  a  broken  world  and  we’re  all  flawed  individuals.  Mistakes  are  made.  I  believe  that  Alex  was 
failed on so many levels by so many flawed people.  Primarily by his parents, who failed to provide for his 
life-sustaining needs. Secondly, by the BC Ministry responsible for providing the best care for him when 
his parents did not. Thirdly, by the judge who made a difficult, yet, I believe, wrong decision to return Alex 
to his parents. Finally, by family members, friends and neighbours who knew of and/or witnessed Alex’s 
illness and deterioration and yet remained silent.  
 
I hope that Alex’s tragic death will bring about necessary changes regarding follow-up and monitoring in 
serious cases of neglect, when once apprehended children are returned to their parents. His life story of 
suffering  and  premature  death  demands  that  greater,  more  open  sharing  of  information  between 
provinces be implemented. The most vulnerable must be protected! 
 
I will never forget Alex’s sweet face and the privilege it was to teach, support and encourage him during 
his Kindergarten year. He is free of his suffering now and resting in peace.  
 
In sadness, 
 
 
Sandy Wong (Cochrane, Alberta) 
sandyleewong@hotmail.com 
 
CC: Alberta Ministry of Children and Families, B.C. Christian Academy (attention: Ian Jarvie, Principal), 
Calgary Herald, Vancouver Sun, Tri-Cities News