90 year old loses thousands in alleged retirement home fraud
A 90-year-old woman is among those allegedly defrauded of thousands of dollars while a resident at an Oxford County retirement home.
Her upset family is speaking out in her place as the woman battles dementia.
Miranda Guitard, a relative, told CTV News London her family selected Trillium Care in Norwich, Ont. this past June.
The woman moved in shortly afterward.
"It's a large, Victorian-style home. That's what I liked about the facility," explained Miranda. "I wanted her to go somewhere without actually feeling like a home. Not so much like an institution."
Miranda said the family paid for the first and last month of care in advance, but soon they received requests from a senior employee asking for more money.
They questioned the terms but agreed to pay some cash for a reported additional service.
Miranda Guitard is seen during an interview with CTV News London on Aug. 28, 2024. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London).
Still, Miranda felt uneasy, "My gut instinct was telling me that there's something going on."
The requests for more money kept coming. All along Miranda kept records of her communications with the senior employee.
Soon, she was questioning the email address used for rent payments.
"You know, when I look at all of the staff's emails that work at the home, it is first name, last initial then @TrilliumCommunityCare.ca. OK, that's right. But, the money that I'm sending for rent and increases and everything else was going to a separate email, a Gmail."
Not long afterward, police were notified.
The OPP has confirmed they are investigating the alleged fraud of multiple victims at a retirement home in Norwich. Detectives report more than $50,000 may be missing. They are interviewing a suspect, and an OPP cruiser was present outside the home Wednesday.
CTV News London reached out directly to Trillium Care communities. An employee declined to comment but did confirm a police investigation is ongoing.
The Ontario Retirement Home Regulatory Authority has also confirmed it is investigating a complaint.
The 90-year-old victim of an alleged fraud at an Oxford county retirement home is seen in this undated photo. CTV News has protected her identity. (Source: Miranda Guitard)
In the meantime, Miranda said she will keep speaking out to alert other families, "If you're dealing with a big move like this for a loved one, ask your questions and listen to your gut. Find out who everyone is beforehand. Who's the general manager? Who's doing the bookkeeping? Who is taking care of your loved one?"
Miranda certainly wishes she had done the same for herself and her "much loved" elderly relative, who just celebrated her birthday inside the home.
"Her vulnerability was taken advantage of and even myself. I feel like I've been taken advantage of and tricked," she said.
Police are imploring anyone who suspects their family member may be a victim to give them a call.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump on Day 1: Begin deportation push, pardon Jan. 6 rioters and make his criminal cases vanish
Donald Trump has said he wouldn't be a dictator — 'except for Day 1.' According to his own statements, he's got a lot to do on that first day in the White House.
'I was called;' Murray Sinclair's life and legacy honoured at emotional memorial
Applause erupted over and over at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg Sunday as the son of Murray Sinclair, a former judge, senator and chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission into residential schools, spoke about his father.
Children's book by chef Jamie Oliver withdrawn after criticism from Indigenous Australians
A children's book written by British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has been withdrawn from sale after it was criticized for causing offense to Indigenous Australians.
Montreal dockworkers reject deal with lockout to begin
The union representing some 1,200 dockworkers at the Port of Montreal has overwhelmingly rejected a deal with their employers association.
Man shot by police in Hamilton has died, victim did 'not appear' to fire a gun, says SIU
A man who was critically injured in a police-involved shooting in Hamilton late Sunday afternoon has died in hospital, says the province’s police watchdog.
Liberals to face third test in federal byelection in British Columbia next month
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced voters in Cloverdale—Langley City will pick their next member of Parliament on Dec. 16.
Elon Musk exerts deepening influence on Donald Trump's presidential transition
Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago club has been brimming in the last 48 hours with two kinds of people: those angling for a job in the president-elect’s incoming administration, and those trying to influence him into hiring their picks for the top spots.
25 monkeys recovered after dozens escape in South Carolina. Others 'jumping back and forth' near research facility
Tenty-five of the 43 monkeys bred for medical research that escaped a compound in South Carolina have been recovered, officials said Sunday.
Abuse, harassment and suicide: Report finds anti-Black racism exists at highest levels of federal government
A government-funded report released to CTV News highlights 'systemic racism' against dozens of Black executives within the federal public service, including allegations of abuse, violence and harassment that, in some instances, led to suicide.