Devil Among Us: How Canada Failed to Stop a Pedophile

274 Pages·2008·1.89 MB·English

by  Mike McIntyre

BY MIKE McINTYRE
Copyright © 2008 Mike McIntyre Great Plains Publications 420 – 70 Arthur Street Winnipeg,
MB R3B 1G7
www.greatplains.mb.ca
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form
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Great Plains Publications gratefully acknowledges the financial support provided for its
publishing program by the Government of Canada through the Book Publishing Industry
Development Program (BPIDP); the Canada Council for the Arts; as well as the Manitoba
Department of Culture, Heritage and Tourism; and the Manitoba Arts Council.
Design & Typography by Relish Design Studio Ltd. Printed in Canada by Friesens Library
and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication McIntyre, Mike
Devil among us : how Canada failed to stop a pedophile / Mike McIntyre.
ISBN 978-1-894283-80-9
1. Whitmore, Peter, 1971-. 2. Child molesters--Canada--Biography.
3. Kidnapping--Canada. 4. Criminal justice, Administration of--Canada.
5. Child sexual abuse--Canada--Case studies. I. Title.
HV6570.4.C3M35 2008 364.15’36 C2008-902491-5
E-book conversion by Human Powered Design ISBN 978-1-927855-45-4 (EPUB) ISBN 978-1-
927855-46-1 (mobi)
To Chassity – who knows me better than I know myself.
INTRODUCTION
This book is based entirely on actual events. The dialogue contained
in the text is real. Some of the content may be disturbing for young
and/or sensitive readers. Discretion is advised.
All material is factual and has been derived from the following
sources: extensive interviews with the families of both Manitoba and
Saskatchewan victims; interviews with police officers, lawyers,
victims advocates, legal experts and other justice officials; dozens of
interviews with key witnesses, community residents and politicians;
sworn testimony from numerous court proceedings; official court
records and transcripts; police reports; psychiatric reports; risk
assessments; parole documents; previously published stories;
extensive online and newspaper archive research; and first-hand
knowledge of covering the Whitmore case. The names of all victims
and their families have been changed to protect their privacy and in
conjunction with existing court orders.
This is my fourth true crime book and, without a doubt, my most
difficult and important to date. As a father of two young children, the
Peter Whitmore case struck a raw nerve with me. Whitmore truly
could be the poster boy for Canada’s revolving door justice system and
his case demanded further examination and explanation. I believe the
end result is an eye-opening look at a system which clearly struggles
to deal with the most dangerous among us and, too often, simply pays
lip service to the protection of our most innocent and vulnerable
citizens.
It was a long and difficult journey, one that I could not have
completed without the help of many people. Special acknowledgment
to the families of the two victims in Winnipeg and Saskatchewan, who
I got to know personally and whose strength and courage is a true
inspiration. You are always in my thoughts and I am grateful for
entrusting me to tell your stories.
I would also like to thank Bernard Tremblay and the RCMP, Dan
Brodsky, Roz Prober, Vivian Song, Jana Pruden, Barb Pacholik, John
Gormley, the residents of Whitewood, Bruce Owen, Jason Bell and all
my colleagues at the Winnipeg Free Press; and Gregg Shilliday and
the staff at Great Plains Publications for always believing in me.
Finally, none of this would be possible without the love and support
of my family including my wife, Chassity; son, Parker; and daughter,
Isabella. They are the greatest inspiration anyone could ask for.
www.mikeoncrime.com
PROLOGUE
PETERBOROUGH, ONTARIO
September 19, 1980
To: Dr. C, The Medical Center
My apologies for the delay in sending you a note regarding this boy’s
assessment. His school report, to me, was somewhat delayed, and as
usual, summer holidays always seem to catch me somewhat delayed,
come September.
I saw Peter and ‘Mom’ on several occasions and as well, did receive
a fairly extensive report regarding his academic behaviour and needs
as the Psych Services in Toronto saw fit. As you know, Peter is
currently attending a regular classroom in Omemee, and living in a
fairly busy family. His placement there has been arranged privately by
his guardian, and contact with his natural mother has been
maintained fairly regularly.
Clinically, of course, Peter very definitely presents as a very
vulnerable child in need of support, not only in the academic area, but
also in the social and emotional one. He handled himself fairly age
appropriately, from time to time, but required frequent re-assurance
and support to allow him to complete the tasks requested of him.
Behaviourally, there was some limit testing which he easily responded
to. He spoke very warmly of his natural mother, and has convinced
himself that fairly soon, in the near future, he would be residing with
her.
In talking with Mrs. Budd, the current foster mother, Peter has
exhibited a considerable amount of frustration in adapting to normal
family routine. Most of his frustration is expressed in aggressive
activity which now the family anticipates and has been able to
intervene quite often, earlier, and help Peter express himself more
appropriately. Certainly Mrs. Budd’s attitude and her current
management techniques leave little to critique. I feel that Peter will
thrive considerably providing the family can survive his emotional
demands. I discussed this with them, the fact that Peter’s behaviour
can be a very emotionally draining one, and therefore, the family must
take precautions to build up some protections for itself so as not to
have the placement deteriorate.
I suggested to ‘Mom’ that the school can request psychological
educational assessment by a consultant that the county quite often
uses. For further support, I also directed Mrs. Budd to explore the
possibility of Peter’s involvement at Youth of Otonabee, although he
may be somewhat young for that kind of group activity.
At the moment I know of no groups at the Mental Health Clinic. At
this stage, I see no need for psychotherapy, but rather his emotional
needs can be more appropriately met and potential conflicts resolved
by a living, modeling situation.
The Ritalin he is currently taking would seem to very definitely help
to contain some of his difficulties with distractibility and poor
concentration, and I would think, that we should probably not alter
his drug regimentation since he seems to be suffering very little from
side effects.
Diagnostically, of course, Peter is very difficult to categorize other
than that he is experiencing very definitely a behavioural reaction of
childhood, primarily with a perception problem, but also, showing
many of the hallmarks of early maternal deprivation with the
resultant poor self-esteem...and need for attention at all costs.
Hoping this will be of help to you in your continuing involvement
with this family and Peter.
chapter one
WHITEWOOD, SASKATCHEWAN
SUMMER 2006
Every small town has one – a popular gathering point where people
meet regularly to discuss whatever happens to be on their mind that
day. The weather. Gas prices. Sports scores. Report cards. Gossip. It’s
where the heart of the community beats strongest.
Whitewood was no different. And one of the best places to take the
town’s pulse is at the Can-Am Restaurant. Located at the intersection
of two major arteries – the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 9 –
the truck stop diner is usually jumping at all hours of the day and
night.
And it’s not just the 1,000 local residents who keep it going.
Whitewood is known as the Crossroads Community – their local
slogan is “where the world truly travels by our door every day.” The
south-eastern Saskatchewan farming community is a traditional rest
stop for weary travellers – westbound drivers still face another 90
minutes to Regina, those heading east are still a good two hours from
Brandon, Manitoba.
As such, it’s the perfect place for a quick pit stop. Hungry truckers
know they’ll always be greeted with a smiling face, a good meal and
even better conversation.
Yet on this warm mid-summer day, strangers walking into the
eatery were met by some unusual sights and sounds.
Oh, the food was still as good as ever – particularly the generous
servings of homemade pie, always warm and flaky. But it was obvious
to any outsider that something was troubling Whitewood.
Locals sat quietly in booths and at tables, their conversations
considerably muted. Some exchanged nervous glances towards the
front door. Others quickly darted their eyes away.
In town, the reaction was much the same. The streets were
virtually empty, with discarded bicycles sitting on front lawns next to