'I wish I could go back': Katelynn Sampson's former teacher tells inquest

KatelynnSampson'ssecond gradeteacherwas overwhelmed with emotion at a coroner's inquest into the girl's death Friday, telling the jury she regrets not calling authorities when she saw bruises on the seven-year-old.

"I didn't suspect something was happening. I wish I could go back," said Cathy Seto, who was weeping so much she had to take severalbreaks from her testimony.

Seto was testifying about the events leading up to Katelynn's death in August 2008.

The little girldiedfrom complications of blunt force trauma, including septic shock, after months of beatings. Her legal guardian Donna Irving and Irving'sboyfriend Warren Johnsonpleaded guiltyto second-degree murderand were sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 15 years.

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Setotold the coroner's jury that when she met Katelynnin 2007, she was struck by the little girl's bright smile and beautiful long hair.But the little girl returned later that school yearwith herhair cut short.

Trust in caregivers changed

Seto alsotold the inquestKatelynnwas away from school unusually often more than 70 full days and 16 half days that school year.

After a one-weekabsence in the spring, Seto said the girlcame back looking significantly thinner.

During that period, Setosaid shenoticed bruises the size of quartersonKatelynn.

She testifiedthat whenshe asked the girl'slegal guardianDonna Irving about the absences, Irvingexplained them away. As for the bruises, Irving told herKatelynngot themplaying ball hockey with her sons.

A couple of weeks later, the principal at Parkdale Junior School,Jim Smyth,noticed bruises onKatelynn'scheeks and red marks on her hands and spoke toSetoabout them.

On Thursday, Smyth told the inquest that he met the girlduring the first week of school when no one picked her up from class. Hecontacted the Children's Aid Society (CAS) three separate times to confirm who was responsible for Katelynn'scare.

Smyth also testified that he called CAS when he noticed injuries on the little girl'sface and hands. The agency told Smyth that it would investigate but never got back in touch and Smythdidn't follow up.

When asked what had changed for her after Sampson's death, Seto said, "My trust in guardians and caregivers in general. They tell me they're going away on a trip and I tell them, 'Please put it in writing', and I follow up."

The inquest isn't sitting next week. The following week, the coroner's jury will hear from school administrators and government officials about what policies have changed since Katelynn's deathto ensure other kids don't fall through the cracks.