Merritt child killer Allan Schoenborn’s request for up to 28 days of unescorted leave has been approved by BC Review Board.

It will be at the discretion of the Director of Adult Forensic Psychiatric Services at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in Coquitlam, commonly known as Colony Farm, where the 54-year-old is currently being held.

“We are satisfied that the plan put forward by the director is well thought out and, if properly implemented, will adequately manage the risk to the community occasioned by visit leaves,” the BC Review Board said, in its reasons for the decision.

It says the move will allow Schoenborn to reintegrate into society, though it comes with a number of conditions.

Schoenborn will not be permitted to have any weapons in his possession or be allowed to use alcohol or drugs, unless it is approved by a medical practitioner.

To ensure he is complying, he could be ordered to undergo urinalysis at the discretion of the hospital director.

He is also required to not have any direct or indirect contact with Valaine Clarke, Stacy Galt, Mike Clarke, or Barb Phillips. He will be required to “keep the peace and be of good behaviour” and present himself before the BC Review Board when required.

Earlier this month, Schoenborn’s lawyer, Rishi Gill, says giving the Director the ability to approve overnight leave would not necessarily mean that Schoenborn would get it.

Speaking on NL Newsday, Clarke family spokesperson, Dave Teixeira, said they’re disappointed by the decision.

“This is a man who has not completed his alcohol and drug counselling. He still has anger management issues. He is still upset if he sees young blonde female,” Teixeira said. “This is not someone that should be in the community for our safety nor his safety. He doesn’t have the supports in place to be out and about.”

“If the goal is to get him well enough to get into the community, he has not completed near enough of his counselling to be out there. He doesn’t have the social skills.”

According to the CBC, the review board panel heard how Schoenborn has gone on over a dozen visits with his mother to restaurants and shopping, and on a handful of unescorted leaves to attend an employment training program in Surrey, all which reportedly went off “with no concern.”

Schoenborn was convicted of killing his 10-year-old daughter and two sons, aged eight and five, in Merritt back in April 2008, but was later found not criminally responsible by way of a mental disorder in 2010.

“There is a concern that the Review Board may feel that since Darcie is no longer with us, that it’s okay for Schoenborn to get out. And that’s the problem. The Review Board seems to be very eager to get the child killer back out into the community, as opposed to ensuring that he’s healthy,” Teixeira told NL News, in Feb. 2020.

#BREAKING 3X child killer Allan Schoneborn’s request for unescorted leave from Colony Farm for up to 28 days has been APPROVED by BC Review Board, No more details @ this time. The killer continues to pose a great threat to public safety so this is shocking. #SchoenbornHearing pic.twitter.com/rdxTNOanVz

— Dave Teixeira 🎧 (@davedotca) March 11, 2022