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18-month custody struggle almost over Ministry agrees to return autistic girl to father’s care A3 Vikki HOPES Abbotsford News
Single dad Derek Hoare has spent 18 months fighting the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) to return his autistic daughter home. Last week, they signed an agreement to do so, just three days before the trial on the matter was to begin. Hoare is now making plans to bring his little girl, Ayn Van Dyk, almost 11 years old, back where he has always said she belongs – with him and her two brothers. Hoare said the ministry has agreed to pay for intensive in-home support for Ayn and one of her siblings, who also has autism. The final details are being worked out, and then Ayn will return to her dad’s care. “I think it’s going to go really, really well,” Hoare said, although he is angry that it took so long to get to this point. Ayn was taken from Continued on A3
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A7 Service aims to provide 1,000 safe rides home this season
RIVERSIDE RD. ROADBLOCK CRASH A4 Suspected impaired driver rams into vehicle being checked by police officers ■ ■ ■ ■
Derek Hoare is shown with daughter Ayn Van Dyk in an undated photo from a few years ago. Ayn, who has autism, was removed from Hoare’s care 18 months ago, and his battle to have her returned home is nearing the end.
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