Saving David Waines - the fifth estate

Canadian missionary David Waines devoted his life to saving and protecting children in Liberia, only to be charged with sexually assaulting a young girl - an accusation he strenuously denies. Bob McKeown investigates.
MORE INFO : He was considered one of the most courageous aid workers in Africa today. Vancouver missionary David Waines spent decades saving lives and protecting children in the small war-torn country of Liberia. He played an important role in getting the government to enforce a new tougher law on child rape- even investigating cases and in some cases taking part in the arrest of suspects.
But then, in a stunning development, Waines himself was charged with sexually assaulting a young girl, an accusation he strenuously denies. Jailed in a dangerous prison, then treated in a hospital at the peak of the Ebola crisis, Waines feared for his life.
He and his supporters say he is the victim of a corrupt justice system and enemies bent on revenge. Liberian authorities want to prosecute him for what they allege are serious crimes. Bob Mckeown investigates the controversy around David Waines.
For more on the fifth estate : www.cbc.ca/fifth
Follow us on Twitter : / cbcfifth
Like us on Facebook : / thefifthestate
»»» Subscribe to CBC News to watch more videos: www.youtube.co...
»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»
For more than 75 years, CBC News has been the source Canadians turn to, to keep them informed about their communities, their country and their world. Through regional and national programming on multiple platforms, including CBC Television, CBC News Network, CBC Radio, CBCNews.ca, mobile and on-demand, CBC News and its internationally recognized team of award-winning journalists deliver the breaking stories, the issues, the analyses and the personalities that matter to Canadians.

[@hayaglamazonluxe]

This story is very conflicting. As a Christian, I applaud his passion for helping people but I can't help but feel this has ''white saviour'' written all over it, and that makes many African people wary and annoyed. The scene where the children are reciting his name over and over again seems staged, contrived and drips of paternalistic colonialism, it's hard to watch as an African woman.

[@iloveglennnn]

I agree with you. The part where they were chanting his name... If you listen many were not even really saying his name at all. Smh. I guess was a lot of good in what he did, to help any people in that situation and to provide help where few do I suppose is certainly good, but I see a level of narcissism and it could've been, or led to god complex, in the same way that happens in a cult when the leader feels everyone looks to him for their needs. They begin to feel they are entitled to take what they want. But for all the good he did it may have been at the cost of this young girl's life and wellbeing. If this is true, and I feel it may well be, it's a deplorable betrayal.

[@CherylSimser]

+K Tibaijuka I was struck by his demeanor seeming narcissistic. The aunt's response regarding Waines denying the offer of doubling her money was quite genuine and disturbing.

[@kieranosullivan4966]

+K Tibaijuka The chanting of his name is very unpleasant. The fact that he engaged in arrests is also wrong that is not his job. The idea of ritualized child abuse is an old and discredited idea. There is certainly child abuse but I have never seen credible evidence of Satanic abuse.

[@AsheeAshee]

I totally agree. I'm not saying he's guilty because I wasn't there but he sure is full of himself!

[@theresamischeski71]

So you really believe he would stay in that Hell hole for self glory? You will never get it man they do it out of love.

[@elleoo7]

As a Canadian I don't understand why he didn't help the vulnerable populations in HIS OWN country FIRST before trying to help in other countries?

[@QWERTY-ri5yw]

elleoo7 hear hear

[@truebluewonderful]

Liberia is the poorest country in the world. You can't even compare it to the most vulnerable in Canada.

[@dixirose111]

Typical missionary. Most mission work is in foreign countries.

[@dixirose111]

Canada has a big state run welfare system so they don’t have such needy people. Sadly the foreign countries with needy usually have war lords who will wipe out any good work done soon thereafter if other diseases don’t. The work is more about spreading the gospel and good will.

[@Liverpoolboy01]

Grow up, you self serving fools. The man is doing good, what are you doing for you fellow man!

[@thomasjensen6243]

He seems very narcissistic....he wants to be in the spot light....he wants everybody chanting his name. It's all about him.

[@MissNebulosity]

Yeah, I was a bit worried about that too.

[@nunya2954]

LOL another blind soul. There is no white in that baby.

[@itseemedtoher8053]

10 minutes into this I spot two glaring red flags: he's having those he serves through community and private donations chant his name (communal narcissism) and presumably using diverted funding to support his vigilantism ( mission stray; possible defalcation).

[@maliceintended]

IMO He is NOT the father of that child. However, the Jury is still out on the sexual assault allegations.

[@lydiayork9451]

Why is it his choice to return to Liberia? Canada doesn't extradite? Lucky Dave...

[@wayfordford4889]

I felt like this man was completely innocent , that this was outrageous UNTIL !! the very moment when he asked him why he went to the boarder . he he stutters ,,, umm arhhh .. well ... at that moment .. and a few more telling things ''like the auntie .. she was NOT lieing ... hmmm theres something not right here at all!!

[@ambergreen6714]

The hospital trip made me think hes not being truthful. But I feel hes hiding something n its unfortunate. The dna I believe isnt his but it dont mean he didnt do anything. I didnt believe her until the hospital n the border story he sounded so shady.

[@Liverpoolboy01]

God you are such a bore, Ford!

[@paigeroth402]

My gut feeling tells me that Waines was a predator. I agree with Haya Glamazon's uncomfortable reaction regarding the scene of children reciting his name at about 6:30. I just find his whole demeanor to be very superficial and he seems to be playing the martyr.

[@violeta8626]

that behaviour is very telling

[@jonslg240]

"Think of him as part Mother Theresa, part Indiana Jones" ..yeah, and part Michael Jackson.

[@mtm00]

A brave man, God bless him. That Irene is so unbelievable, and obviously coached; and her baby would look completely different if Waines was the father. Here's a question: why is the hand that feeds always bitten? If I were him, I would not consider ever returning. It's a shame that the interviewer was not interested in asking deeper questions about his experience of being incarcerated. For example, locked up with the very people he helped to put there, did he learn anything from/about them? It would have been interesting to hear how the experience changed his views, after all he had a fascinating opportunity to investigate the root cause(s) in the men there. Perhaps it was about his coming to understand that the men could have used his help too ... that kind of problem needs to be treated from both ends.

[@robyndaniels1381]

I find a man who hangs about lots of young vulnerable kids very suspicious. This is not normal adult male behaviour and one has to question their motives.

[@deziderious6510]

The first thing i thougt of to. Something smells like fish here. And it's rotten!

[@deziderious6510]

@ungratefulmetalpansy It not uncommon that men who helps kids, choose to do so because of the proximity to kids. Its sad but true. 🤷‍♂️

[@klaird_h4727]

Right...you hope for the best, but prepare to expect the worse!

[@duvessa75]

🤔, that look he gave right away in the intro had me already disturbed, and then they showed those kids., chanting .. I'm getting sick already

[@dr.kimberlyweitl4891]

same

[@zachsabel5466]

man the only episode of fifth estate so far that ive seen that i cant stand

[@MissNebulosity]

Why?

[@zachsabel5466]

@@MissNebulosity hmmm i dont remember. its been awhile lmao

[@retpal2302]

As a missionary foremost, a foreigner, and a white man; he was interfering with things as a missionary he shouldn't have been. This incident was inevitable, truth or not this was bound to happen. Watching him around people and interviews, he appears to be disingenuous as if he is hiding something.

[@mastero21]

I'm a student, spent the last 11 years of my life in university studying human anatomy and geneticts. As a black person, I can tell you that it is almost impossible for the child that David Waines "fathered" to be completely black like the child shown. The child even has other features of a black person, like the nose, and no Caucasian features. The chances that he is the father of that child are next to nothing. I've only heard of a white father having a black baby once, he had twins with a black women, one twin was completely white, one completely black. For a white father to have a single embryo that turns out completely black is pretty much impossible. He didn't father that child.

[@flyinspirals]

I agree -- there's absolutely no sign of mixed blood -- but if you know of one case where it occured with a monozygotic twin, then it's possible, although I agree, almost unheard of. Why doesn't he pay for genetic tests himself?

[@littleblackfox1]

Who knows if he fathered the kid or not? and after dating one for 5 years I know that any self respecting geneticist would avoid making accusations without dna. I wouldn't be suprised if he did it though he seemed like a narcissist.

[@cyrillayman7431]

my thinking exactly.

[@mollymellinger654]

you don't expect us to believe this, do you?

[@nunya2954]

Agreed. They all lied. But most of the blacks in African countries will give you a 2 sided smile.. you can't trust them, none of them. Look at all the missionaries, aid organizations, Dr's w/out borders, Red Cross volunteers killed by these people. let them war it out amongst themselves.

[@madeleine8977]

I, too am confused about David Waines. It seems he has a sense of empowerment and his necessary role in the emergence of Liberia as a democratic country, which it is not. So many of these missionaries start believing in their own importance. He is a guest in Liberia and ergo, his influence will be limited so his Indiana Jones ism is inappropriate.

[@Franaflyby]

This young ladies child is not a malado. Way to dark and absolutely looks nothing like Mr. David Waynes. Case closed.

[@Watchingthesim]

Ok armchair genetics Dr.

[@breannanouveaux5132]

Umm...that's not a biracial baby. He is probably a creep but the baby is even darker than the mother. I always side eye these guys who go abroad to "help".

[@duvessa75]

😂 So? Ever heard about genetics? He definitely can produce a black child by a black women. There are even biracial couples who have two children, one black, one white..

[@duvessa75]

Antilliaans /Surinaams still black, but biracial.. So.. 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@esthermensah5346]

This case is a tragic one indeed. How could the people of Liberia pay him back the good things he did for their Country? It is very sad. Having been myself a victim of false accusations, which wrecked my carrier as a midwife in the United Kingdom, I do appreciate what traumatic experience he went through. To be framed of something one is far from doing, is emotionally, psychological & socially devastating. I cannot believe that an obvious DNA test could be held in such secrecy. There is no resemblance of the child to David, just on looks alone. It is sad that David's life's dream of helping people, had to be curtailed in such a manner : so very ungrateful of the authorities in Liberia & especially his accusor! I can see the end of this senseless story. I wish him all the best.

[@drintx5734]

What a travesty of justice that the DNA test results can’t be released without him going back!

[@Jean-gf3fi]

PATERNITY TEST would answer the questions

[@michaelbundy6706]

Jean 🤦🏽‍♂️ you almost can’t be serious.. it’s a black nappy head dark baby.. why the he’ll would ANYONE believe or think 🤔 he’s that kids father..?😂😂😂

[@BakedProductions]

David Waines is my slumlord of a landlord, and can say without hesitation that what he speaks cannot be trusted. He has no respect for anything but himself, I have video footage of him leaving his demented father in the hot sun in my yard, and at The Home Depot for hours on end. Also of him forcing his adopted, disabled African child to mow a half acre of 4 foot tall grass with a powerless push mower, and things I cannot say on here because it is part of a pending court case. Karma is coming for you Waines. Do not sympathize with this man unless you are praying for him is my advice to all of you.

[@bipbopcherryontop6256]

Wow. So what happened in the end?

[@badjujuwan]

As a woman, I understand how vulnerable children are and generally take the side of the victim. As an African woman, I also understand how vulnerable poor Africans are - especially at the hands of males (foreigners or not). Initially, I thought it would be another story of this "good guy" abusing the locals, but early on, I could not truly believe he was guilty. The baby. Come on, this child was as West African as they come. It's possible to have a dark-skinned child from a white person, but the hair, too? No, no, no. Even if David were from Somalia, I would still have my doubt. Also, it's very easy to convince desperate people to lie. That woman's(victim's aunt) "shock" at David denying the $500 was not convincing at all. You can not imagine how good some people are at lying - literally jumping up and down and swearing on God and their children. The truth is he may or may not have slept with her and was lucky that he did not impregnate her. Also, his behavior may have been suspicious, but this is Liberia and it's very easy to assume a parental role and "cross the line" with regard to the abortion. Then again, it's that same arrogance as "village father" that may have led him to believe he could do whatever he wanted. I still believe a lot of it was a set up to prevent him from going on with the prosecution of locals. Maybe he's a peado and they used that to also set him up - I doubt we'll ever know. The interesting fact is he probably slept with that girl a few times and people were aware of it. But the minute she was pregnant, they thought they could use her to silence him against his anti-rape mission.

[@hayaglamazonluxe]

+badjujuwan Do you think he slept with her?

[@vconnect1017]

Of all the comments I've read so far, yours (Badjujuwan) is the one I agree the most! But I really hope the truth will come out (has it?), as I will feel really sorry for this Canadian (or anyone) who has spent 3 decades of his life trying to do justice in another country and ends up being "rewarded" with injustice, if falsely accused.

[@fauxmanchu8094]

badjujuwan Good comment. 👍👍👍

[@ambergreen6714]

He took her to hospital... so why? It doesn't sound good for him but the kid I dont think it's his. But he sounds just a bit odd ...

[@Theressomethingwrongwiththem]

This is terribly suspect. 🤔 There's truth in the old adage, "... hiding in plain sight. ..." It's not all uncommon for predators to place themselves into a very religious-centered, and public/political space in order to not only be above suspect, but to know what's going on in and around his/her hunting ground. There's something not at all right with this guy. Hmmm. This will be one of those stories in which the actual truth is ever known.

[@hairbykitty446]

That child IS NOT biracial!!!! Though the guy seems creepy hes not the father!!!

[@TedBackus]

the girl said very specifically, that the baby in her belly was davids. the baby is not half white, so it lends to the accusation being a lie.

[@lydiax55]

is there any follow up on this story?

[@grannygoes7882]

I would NEVER go back to Liberia if I were him. You can't trust them.

[@stilllearning8360]

Did the commenters here not watch the whole video? THEY DID A DNA TEST!!!!!

[@moinawalter2049]

he most likely really pissed off the wrong people...if he went after the wrong people who had connections it wouldn't be that hard to get some one to testify against him.

[@vconnect1017]

What's his situation or status now, in terms of the accusation?

[@barbaradolby2929]

In my opinion, in my heart he's not the father of that child!

[@AMorandir]

Well, a lot of us disagree.

[@antoniosmith8670]

Wow sad story. This dude is not the father of that baby smh

[@MissNebulosity]

That girl seems to be telling the truth. Now that David is not in prison and is back home free, I think the least he can do is tell the truth. If he made a mistake and he regrets that, I think that all of us deserve to know.

[@nunya2954]

You are blind. There is NO WHITE in that baby. He is NOT LYING. Most blacks in Africa do absolutely lie. I wouldn't give a plug nickel to any one in any country in Africa. Why any white or asian people continue to live in those countries astounds me.

[@_.13_]

With all do respect but I don't trust this david waines fella🤔

[@dr.kimberlyweitl4891]

me either

[@darkmoon8400]

This man is disgusting, I do not feel good about him at all

[@hayaglamazonluxe]

Here we go again, talking over the girl because of her Liberian accent, just put subtitles for the people who have never heard foreign accents. The rest of us can understand her just fine without the voice-over!

[@misskay8131]

They probably did that to disguise her voice too actually, since they said they we're protecting her identity because of her being underage.

[@RanThaMan]

Change your tampon

[@khunopie9159]

Umm, this show is a CBC production that was broadcast in CANADA only. They did this to help the CANADIAN viewers who don't want to read subtitles. Be thankful to the CBC for uploading this content

[@marishanameyer6132]

Broflake triggered.

[@NegleLir]

some people get offended by aaaanything LOL

[@franceswomble8083]

I believe he had heard that she was telling things before they came to arrest him. He new what would happen if he was arrested. The laws he pushed came back to bit him in the butt.

[@knitterpated907]

I have no idea if he did or didn't do it. However, people keep mentioning DNA: if he DIDN'T do it then the Liberians have a vested interest in NOT having one done. Kind of makes you wonder 🤷‍♀️

[@robertcarey8294]

He might have been doing the Lords' will , however the Lord had other plans for him !.

[@PeterPan-sz5se]

The baby defo not this,as for the rest of the story only he knows..

[@happygirl4490]

2019, where is he now?

[@charliethomlin6434]

He's back in Canada. The baby was full black and did not have his DNA. He wasn't guilty.

[@judysweatman7501]

Maybe this is another example of ‘no good deed goes unpunished’ He spent his entire life helping these ppl and this is his reward..

[@coolplot6336]

He is not the father of this baby......not a chance, the baby is black 100%....

[@VisnjaFilipovic-Cherry]

Couldn't they have done dna of the baby?

[@Watchingthesim]

Well of course, but white privilege is everlasting

[@Davids-cc9sn]

Whatever someone preaches the loudest against is almost ALWAYS the very thing they do themselves.

[@njael2983]

This man is guiltyyyyyyy....

[@surlywithfabshoes]

If he is certain he is not the father, he should have no qualms about standing trial.

[@kiwis8884]

oh dear, that is not a white man's child

[@omyomar8468]

kiwis 🥝 absolutely right baby 👶

[@cathyjones1709]

is it relvant weather the baby is his i mean he could still guilty if it wasnt

[@MichaelWalsh-qn3ef]

ALL DOGS

[@darringoodbrand6603]

why not just get a DNA test done to see if it is his baby

[@finlaymacleod4076]

darrin goodbrand did you not pay attention while you were watching?

[@fishgoldriver]

i wonder what happened to that book david was talking about

[@moonroxxit]

for all of his claims of needing urgent medical care, he looks VERY healthy & well fed & has no problem moving and if there is something so terribly wrong with his hands, he's having no trouble carrying luggage & moves very lithely. does anyone else see this ? or is it just me ?

[@Yosetime]

I saw that. But he did spend time in hospital before his return so maybe that helped. I think his relief at being home was enough to make him grateful, and nimble. I did notice the pics of his fingers. If he is guilty, let that be his punishment for life!

[@nunya2954]

UH, did you watch the entire thing? smd.. try again

[@jonye7511]

He has the most horrible grey pallor. His fingers were obviously gnarled.

[@redriding1537]

Seems strange he would rather live under the suspicion of being a child rapist than go back and clear his name if he knows it can't be his kid. I would assume a truly innocent person would jump at the chance...

[@FasterFaster196]

The justice system in Liberia is hardly something he can count on to be "just".

[@jonye7511]

You must watch the programme with the intention of trying to understand its contents.

[@robertasliutas2903]

I don't know. I never believed and trust in people like him, because people who are overly trying to be liked the way he did always seems fishy to me

[@michaellittleton7912]

He messed with the wrong people

[@bsands116]

on the trucks it is written US AID and he is a Canadian christian missionary, very transparent. who pays for all that

[@juancarlosroth9977]

The Liberian authorities should stop playing games and disclose the DNA test results, just the rapist would be hurt.

[@jetm5694]

The look of the kid say it all.

[@angelicajoseph3080]

He doesn't look innocent.

[@alanadawnew2172]

this guy gives me the creeps!!

[@guillermomontoyo]

Hey, why can't Americans and Canadians just get along? I know it was the CIA that sent him ta jail.

[@TinManSimRacing]

That baby is not his child I mean can you say mixed child and that’s not mixed

[@sharoncoombs5851]

After seeing the baby that is not his baby u don’t need glasses Steve Wonder could figure that out!!!

[@miklemikemuster]

"Why,yes your honour,I was at the forefront of implementing a law that prohibits bail and up to life imprisonment for statutory rape and then broke said law".Hmmmmmm

[@linjohn39823]

that is not his baby ... liars fraud lol

[@tinajob9229]

David was uncovering all that evil and was trying to help everyone, looks like he had to be pushed out the picture to me.

[@mmprettypistol]

Thank you for sharing this video. I don’t really care if you are innocent or guilty. That is for God’s eyes only. What I do want to reflect on is ALL THE GOOD WORK YOU DID while in Liberia. Think about it. If this man was a Rapist, or someone to be feared, do you think he would have chosen Liberia!? I rest my case. We are all sinners. None is greater than another. Leave it in the hands of God & carry on!

[@stevenwelk1901]

He shouldn't have access to young girls. Not wihtout super vision.

[@angeldesign7962]

Look at his evil eyes.

[@MrHornetSwarm]

He needs to return to Liberia and stand trial. If he's truly innocent than he should have nothing to worry about, why is Canada harboring a wanted fugitive?

[@w8ngr]

Has no one ever heard of a polygraph yes they aren't 100% but it's a good indicator of who is not telling 100% truth

[@NjK601]

This reminds me of the Young Pope where he visits a christian charity village in Africa and the head nun put her hands out for them to kiss then just kept saying enough enough in front of the sickened Pope (Jude Law).. meanwhile David just outright has them chanting his name

[@cherylpaul577]

that baby is too African to be David wants he is not guilty liars love you Dave I am black and they try to daily railroad you period

[@cakestalker]

Why don't other Canadians have a strange accent like the narrator here Bob McKeown has? All Canadians I've heard sound 100% American. Where are those other so-called Canadians that speak with an accent? Saying "aboot" rather than "about" etc. Is the Canadian accent just a myth? Did Bob McKeown make his own accent just for fun or something?

[@drxtc1]

+Ingen Ting Canada is a massive country and just like in the US there are different actions with different accents. I.e. the south does not sound like Texas

[@daniellel7038]

Ingen Ting Depends where you go. We have several accents in Canada. The East coasters have theirs, people in Quebec have a French-Canadian accent. People in Ontario have a similar accent to those people in the United States. People in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba have a distinct accent and people in BC have their own as well.

[@sharonrose2233]

Different accents from different regions of Canada. 0ne third of Canadians live in Ontario though and sound like North Eastern Americans.

[@dixirose111]

The accuser girls eyes shift where tries to remember her lies. How disgusting these ave bee to this poor man.

[@judyzela7289]

the baby is not his....that little lady is lying

[@maureenheaps4872]

why doesnt he request a paternity test to clear it all up. Seems a simple thing to do.

[@Hazzard0]

Don't they have dna tests in Liberia?

[@charge416]

His voice kinda sounds like Robin Williams' voice sometimes

[@judysweatman7501]

Why didn’t he immediately demand a DNA test? Seems odd that this wasn’t done, if not immediately upon being accused, then at the birth of the baby.... ?

[@jonye7511]

Yeah while he was in prison? This is Liberia a destitute country without the rule of law.

[@karenrourke3885]

A real simple answer is just do a praternity test then we don't need to question this anymore no

[@MrShanester117]

He obviously graped her. Obviously. Insane that anyone would think otherwise.

[@johnkeating4221]

I do not know what this man may or may not have done in his twenty seven years helping these people was their any evidence that he acted with anything but respect to these people. I think it is more likely as he was trying to rid the country of these cultural practices he ruffeled some feathers and a trap was laid for him.

[@painfreesunrise]

Why doent anybody do that DNA test??? unbelievable... its so easy to find the truth!

[@lokasdeamizade6191]

The child should be mixed should it not?

[@coolkingww2d-daygillespie196]

God know's, but I don't believe hes guilty he was trying to help people and some people got mad .

[@mahdyarmohammadi7069]

I miss the bushmeat & jingo boooz .bassa & kpelle dance

[@coolkingww2d-daygillespie196]

Hes not that's baby's father

[@pauladenisecoutinho901]

God Bless Dave!

[@Dusty338]

This guy lives in my town. I can't say if he's innocent or guilty, but he's definitely a creep.

[@jonye7511]

But he still deserves a fair trial.

[@Dusty338]

@@jonye7511 Agreed. He should return to Liberia and stand trial.

[@desertrose00]

I agree with the fact that he is not the father but that girl and her aunt seem more genuine than this man. The father is someone else. But this man isn’t squeaky clean. On a separate note - he is a narcissistic and self absorbed. I find it interesting how he never says for once that he misses doing his work in Liberia now that he is in Canada.

[@kishanjadeja507]

he ain't the dad.... but i don't trust him.

[@marcelc2820]

Why won't he stop lyingg

[@skipmullen7047]

Why not DNA test performed in Canada, to put it to rest?

[@redeyeboy1000]

This guy david is innocent until he is proven guilty.The prison's are full of innocent people,why will they not tell the result's of the d.n.a.money talk's.

[@fozzybear7255]

Oh come on!! Looks just like him.

[@michillene]

I definitely think he's a predator...and that he's guilty..There is jus something about him I don't like..

[@joedavino9225]

What about the baby was it half white??? Not even close that baby was black as a black baby can be!!!