Protecting While Intoxicated

July 17, 2011 permalink

Renfrew CAS worker Cynthia Racine has been charged with drunk driving. She had two children in her car at the time.

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Family case worker charged with drunk driving

Woman allegedly travelling with two children in car

By Meghan Hurley, The Ottawa Citizen July 17, 2011

A case worker with Family and Children Services of Renfrew County was allegedly travelling with two children in her car when she was arrested for drunk driving.

Renfrew County OPP received a traffic complaint last Friday around 4 p.m. about a driver on Elgin Street in Arnprior.

The driver of the car was arrested after she was given a breathalyzer test.

Cynthia Racine, 32, was charged with driving with a blood-alcohol level over the legal limit.

Reached at home, Racine refused to comment.

Arijana Tomicic, Family and Children Services of Renfrew County executive director, said she can’t speak specifically about the case, citing privacy concerns.

Tomicic wouldn’t say if Racine has been suspended from her job.

In most cases, an employee facing criminal charges would be suspended with pay until court proceedings are complete, Tomicic said.

“This is not taken lightly and this situation is not a usual situation that we have to deal with,” Tomicic said. “My responsibility and the responsibility of the agency is towards the children and the number one priority is to ensure their safety.”

Tomicic would not confirm if the two children in the car were Crown wards.

mhurley@ottawacitizen.com twitter.com/meghan_hurley

Source: Ottawa Citizen

Addendum:

Cynthia Racine will have her first appearance Wednesday, August 10 at the Pembroke Superior Court House, 31 Riverside Dr, Pembroke, ON K8A 8R6 for the charge of impaired.

Source: Facebook, Canada Court Watch

There is a rally planned for the date of her court appearance.

Below is a request for information on the case.

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July 19, 2011

Arijana Tomicic
Executive Director
Family and Children Services of Renfrew County
77 Mary Street Suite 100
Pembroke Ontario K8A 5V4

foster@fcsrenfrew.on.ca

Phone: 613-735-6866
Fax: 613-735-6641
Toll Free: 1-800-267-5878

Subject: Cynthia Racine

Sent by email and Canada Post

Madam:

An article in the Ottawa Citizen, copied at the end of this letter, indicates that a caseworker for your society was charged with drunk driving.

While I understand you mission to protect children prevents you from discussing children in your care, I have a question unrealted to any particular case which I hope you will be able to answer. Is Cynthia Racine still working as part of your society, or has she been suspended pending the resolution of the charges of impaired driving? If she has not been suspended, is she still acting as a caseworker, or have her duties been altered?

Thank you for your attention.

Robert T McQuaid
558 McMartin Road
Mattawa Ontario P0H 1V0

phone: 705-744-6274
email: rtmq at fixcas.com

The reply sets a record for unresponsiveness.

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Family and Children's Services
County of Renfrew

September 28, 2011

Robert T. McQuaid
558 McMartin Road
Mattawa, Ontario P0H 1V0

Dear Mr. McQuaid:

Re: Cynthia Racine

Thank you for your letter dated July 19, 2011 and bringing your concerns to our attention. Please note that Ms. Racine's case is currently before the court.

I can reassure you that our internal processes focus on children, their safety and well being. We strive to ensure that our processes are fair, respectful and communicate care to all involved, acknowledging that our priority will always remain children.

Sincerely,

Arijana Tomicic, M.S.W.
Executive Director

AT:dg

Copies to: Lynn Lavery, Director of Investigation, Assessment and Legal Services

Arijana Tomicic, M.S.W. - Executive Director
77 Mary Street, Pembroke, Ontario K8A 5V4 Telephone (613) 735-6866 Fax (613) 735-6641
(Branch) 331 Martin Street, Renfrew, Ontario K7V 1A1 Telephone (613) 432-4821 Fax (613) 432-9278
Winning Kids Centre, 464 Isabella Street, Pembroke, Ontario K8A 5T9 Telephone (613) 735-6866 Fax (613) 635-4640

Here is the registration information for Cynthia Racine, in photocopy and text, below.

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Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers Register

Racine, Cynthia Carolyn Mary

Registration #: 215565

Work Address:	Renfrew County Family & Children's Services 131 Martin St. Renfrew, ON K7V 1A1
Work Telephone:	(800) 267-5878
Class of Certificate of Registration:	General social work	General social service work
Terms, Conditions and Limitations:	None	None
Notations:	None	Certificate Cancelled on June 22, 2001
Professional Corporations:	None

End of Report:

Pat Niagara has donated two photo comments [1] [2].