Two Montreal-area caregivers accused of mistreating elderly patient

Two Quebec caregivers face criminal charges after an elderly woman living in a South Shore long-term health-care centre was allegedly assaulted and given a noxious substance.

Immacula Eugène, 51, and Marie-Margaret Pétimé, 46, were each arraigned in Longueuil on Tuesday on two charges of drug trafficking, two of conspiracy and two of administering a noxious substance.

Eugène was also charged with armed assault.

The alleged crimes took place last July.

The 87-year-old victim died two months later but it was only on Nov. 21 that police received a complaint from someone close to her.

Investigators executed a search warrant at the long-term care home on Nov. 27.

Longueuil police spokesman Mark David said it is unclear whether the woman died directly from the alleged assault. 

“But we don’t know if she died because of the maltreatment,” David said. “The investigation is still ongoing as we speak.”

Police arrested the women on Monday after reviewing video from within the centre.

CHSLD St-Lambert-sur-Le-Golf is a public-private-partnership run by Groupe Savoie, which runs several other private residences. In Quebec, long-term health care facilities are known by the french acronym, CHSLD.

Natalie Savoie of Group Savoie said they have collaborated fully with the police investigation. She said both of the accused in the case were let go several months ago.

The accused will be detained until their court appearance Thursday.