Support worker charged in St. Marys death

A support worker is facing two charges in the death of a woman who had been living at a supportive living home. CTV’s Colton Wiens reports.

A developmental support worker is facing two charges after a 40-year-old woman died last month at a supportive living residence.

Emergency responders were called to the facility owned and operated by Community Living St Marys and Area on March 11 around 7 p.m.

Perth County Paramedics tried to save the woman’s life, but she was pronounced dead shortly after members of the Stratford Police Service arrived.

On Monday, police announced a support worker has been charged with criminal negligence causing death and failing to provide the necessaries of life.

“This was an isolated incident,” Const. Darren Fischer of the Stratford Police Service, said. “There’s no further cause of concern for anybody in the care of community living.

“Upon learning of this incident, we took immediate steps to respond, including notifying the appropriate authorities and the family of the individual involved. We fully cooperated with the authorities as they investigated the matter,” a joint statement from Kim Monden and Jayden Nancekivell, co-executive directors of Community Living St. Mary’s and Area, said.

“We promptly reviewed our organization’s protocols and procedures. We can confirm there is no ongoing risk to the health or wellbeing of the people our organization supports,” the statement continued.

They said the staff member is no longer with the organization and they send their deepest condolences to the family and everyone else who has been affected.

The chair of Community Living St. Marys and Area’s Board of Directors, Lynette Geddes, also sent a statement.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we wish to share our condolences with the family of the community member who passed away, as well as our own grief at this loss,” Geddes said.

“It is our understanding that the police investigation of this situation focused on the conduct of an individual staff member who is no longer with our organization. We can confirm that no concerns were raised with our policies and procedures,” she said.