British Columbia

Caregiver found guilty in death of developmentally disabled B.C. woman

A B.C. woman has been found guilty in the 2018 death of a developmentally disabled woman she was caring for.

Astrid Dahl convicted of failing to provide necessaries of life, acquitted of criminal negligence

Astrid Dahl was found guilty Friday in B.C. provincial court of failing to provide the necessaries of life for a developmentally disabled woman who died in her care. (Cliff MacArthur/provincialcourt.bc.ca)

A B.C. woman has been found guilty in the death of a developmentally disabled woman she was caring for.

On Friday, Astrid Charlotte Dahl was convicted of failing to provide the necessaries of life for the 54-year-old woman, who was found dead in Dahl's home on Oct. 13, 2018. Dahl was acquitted of criminal negligence causing death.

Police have said the woman who died had a "severe" disability and required around-the-clock care. She had lived in care for most of her life.

The criminal charge of failing to provide the necessaries of life is used when a caregiver denies adequate food, shelter, medical care or protection from harm. 

Mounties say they dedicated 20 officers over 15 months to investigate what happened. The organization that contracted Dahl as a caregiver was originally charged as well, but that charge was later stayed.

Dahl's next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday to fix a date for sentencing.