Watch above: Many victims of elder abuse usually suffer in silence, but a 94-year-old Toronto woman has spoken out about being taken advantage of by people she trusted. Mike Drolet has the story.
TORONTO – Police have arrested two people in connection to an elder abuse and fraud investigation involving a 94-year-old Toronto woman and authorities say there could be more victims.
Police say officers were called to a residence on March 26 by concerned citizens within the community.
It is alleged that Norma Marshall, who was living alone, hired a female housekeeper who coerced her of up to $25,000 when a planned move to Portugal fell through.
The housekeeper’s family showed up to the victim’s door and took residence inside her home in March.
The alleged suspects then proceeded to sell the 94-year-old woman’s belongings and defrauded her life savings.
The victim’s pharmacist was one of several people who notified police.
“I realized after I got my delivery man to deliver for Norma, that she couldn’t even look him in the eye when she answered questions. I thought that was something abnormal,” Selina Chan-Ying said during a press conference at police headquarters on Wednesday.
“He felt that she was scared and I thought it was time to do something.”
Police have charged Vera Nunes, 32, and her husband Luis Serpa Da Conceicao Santos, 38, for fraud, theft, mischief interfere with property and being unlawfully in a dwelling.
Anyone with information about the suspects or a similar case of abuse is urged to call police.
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