"Charges of neglect have been laid against the mother of the 12-year-old girl who drowned in the Holland River on Monday, August 5, according to the Executive Director of the York Region Children's Aid Society, Donald Van Camp.
Eleanor Lowder, mother of Betty Lowder, the girl who drowned, has been charged under Section 40 part (1) of the Child Welfare Act which makes it an offense for anyone to leave a child unattended for an unreasonable length of time without proper supervision. Under the provisions of the act the maximum fine the court is able to impose in such a case is $200 and a maximum one year prison term.
Hearings on the charge will take place in camera on September 3 in Newmarket family court.
The surviving five Lowder children are in the care and custody of the Children's Aid Society, according to Van Camp. After the accident one of the children was in the care of relatives, according to him, but now all are with the society.
Any inquest into the drowning will have to wait until the charges have been taken care of by the courts, according to Dr. Robert Seaver, who is acting as coroner in the case.
"Its all up in the air right now," said Doctor Seaver, "any charges will take precedent. Until some of these things are straightened out," he said referring to the charges, "we can't go ahead." He is also waiting on further details on the accident to become available from the police and the autopsy report.
The possibility of an inquest will still be up in the air, according to Dr. Seaver, until it is decided if some particular aspect of Betty Lowder's death has to be "...brought out."
The police will only be acting as witnesses and assisting the Children's Aid Society in this case according to Deputy Chief Robert Hood of the York Regional Police. Police could have laid the charge against Mrs. Lowder, but they deferred to the Children's Aid Society in the case.
The drowning was the first case in which Bradford firemen were called to the Marsh area which recently switched to Newmarket for its fire protection. The Bradford department's answering of the call raises the question of the $800 charge which King Township is supposed to pay when the Bradford department enters King.
When asked about the fee and whether it will be charged, Bradford mayor Joe Magani replied, "If someone is drowning and we coulz be of some assistance, I don't think its a matter of dollars and cents."

"Occurrences investigated by the officers of the Bradford OPP during the week included 11 traffic accidents in which one person was killed and six persons were injured.
On the morning of Nov. 1, Nancy Thedoru of Toronto was killed when the car driven by her husband George was involved in a collision with a pick up truck driven by Frank Anzil of Klienburg. Mr. Anzil's wife Tina was a passenger in the truck. Mr. Theodoru remains at Sunnybrook Medical Centre.
Mr. Anzil is in intensive care in stable condition at York County Hospital. His wife has been transferred to St. Michael's Hospital.
OPP are still investigating the accident, which occurred at Highways 11 and 89, near Gilford. No charges have been laid as yet.
Bradford OPP investigated 42 occurrences during the week, including two drivers charged with excess alcohol. Also, five liquor related charges were laid."

"Gilford - a Gilford woman was killed and two persons were sent to hospital in a traffic accident Wednesday (Jan. 14).
Jean Taylor, 69, was fatally injured when the car she was driving southbound on Highway 11 struck another head on, Bradford OPP report.
The accident happened at about 12:30 p.m., near the 11th Concession. Mrs. Taylor's car was on the wrong side of the road, police report.
Raoul Tremblay, 76, of Churchill, was driving the northbound car. He and his daughter Violet were taken to York County Hospital.
Approximately $14,000 damage was done to the two car.
Bradford OPP are investigating the accident. No charges have been laid."

Event Date: March 27, 2001
Event Type: death

"Suddenly as a result of an accident on Tuesday, March 27, 2001. Kyle Andrews, in his 41st year, of RR6 Aylmer, formerly of Bradford. Beloved husband of Carol, loving Daddy of Katie and Ezra. Loving son of Barbara of Bradford and Harold of Haliburton. Dear brother of Debbie and Ron Vink, Dianne Andrews and friend John Keast. Shawn and Michelin Horner. Dear son-in-law of Don and Shirley Campbell. Special uncle to Rebecca, Cor, Nicholas, Chad and Owen. Dear nephew to Earle and Madeline Bowles. Memorial Service was held at Straffordville United Church, Saturday, March 31.
In expression of sympathy donations would be appreciated to the Katie & Ezra Trust Fund at the Scotia Bank to Acct. 0219886, Transit #86082.
A Memorial Gathering in Kyle's home community to celebrate his life will be held at the Institute Hall in Newton Robinson on Sunday, April 8th from 1:30-4:00 p.m. A memorial will be given by Rev. Logie at 2:30 p.m."

Contains news clippings and articles on various fires of Bradford West Gwillimbury; articles ranging from 1864 - 1958

Contains news clippings and articles on various disastrous events of Bradford West Gwillimbury; includes fires, Hurricane Hazel, drownings, explosion, train wrecks