Minister for Social Development Anne Tolley gave a brief statement yesterday to the Otago Daily Times outlining her expectation in the matter.
The statement came in response to ODT questions about how the scenario was able to unfold.
On Monday, the 14-year-old boy — who was meant to be in the care of CYF at the time — was involved in a crime spree with the gang associate which culminated in a drunken driver ploughing into a power pole in Mosgiel.
The boy’s grandmother offered to house the troubled youth if no other accommodation could be found, but was reassured by a CYF social worker he would be housed in a motel room with a security guard for three nights while other arrangements were made.
Instead the boy was dropped at a Brockville address frequented by a Mongrel Mob associate and against the recommendations of police.
Hours later he was arrested and spent the night in a police cell, and is now facing three charges in the Youth Court.
The Ministry of Social Development, which oversees CYF, initially offered no comment on how the situation transpired, and when contacted again by the ODT maintained its silence.
In relation to the matter, Ms Tolley said: "I expect CYF to fully review their actions".
The actions of CYF had angered Dunedin police and the boy’s family.
The boy’s grandmother told the ODT earlier this week she did not believe the boy would be before the court if CYF had done its job.
The boy and two other offenders will appear before the court again on Monday.
