Elderly Scarborough woman allegedly forced to live in frigid garage

A 68-year-old woman is in serious condition in hospital after police found her in a frigid Scarborough garage last week.

The woman’s son and legal guardian, 43-year-old Kwong Yan, apparently realized she was unconscious on Wednesday morning and called 911. It’s alleged that on finding the woman malnourished, with frostbite, and in poor living conditions, paramedics alerted police.

Det. Sgt. Mike Stones said the garage wasn’t insulated and a modified dryer vent provided only a tiny amount of heat. The senior had been sleeping on a makeshift cardboard bed for more than three months, and the space reportedly smelled because she had been using a portable toilet that hadn’t been emptied in a while, according to police.

“I’m disgusted,” Det. Sgt. Stones said at a press conference Monday.

“There were no bathroom facilities. Her washing facilities consisted of a bucket of water. On her arrival at hospital, the medical staff informed us her stomach was empty.”

The woman – who suffers from dementia and physical limitations – had a stroke after she was admitted, was put on life support until Saturday, and is now in serious condition.

She had been living with Yan and his wife, 28-year-old Qi Tan, in their McCowan Road and Finch Avenue East house until the beginning of November when they moved her to the garage, according to police.

It’s not clear why – especially, as officers pointed out, with an empty bedroom and ensuite washroom on the second floor.

The couple faces charges of failing to provide the necessities of life and criminal negligence causing bodily harm.

They were arrested Friday and appeared in an Old City Hall court on the weekend. Their bail hearing is on Tuesday in Scarborough.

Police are urging anyone who knows the family to call them at 416-808-4200 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).

 

With files from Cynthia Mulligan

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