Caregiver, community living centre charged after woman dies in their care: police

Jan 29 2020, 4:57 pm

A caregiver and a community living centre in Port Coquitlam have been charged after the reported death of a woman who was in their care.

Police say that a “54-year-old woman with a developmental disability was found dead in a private home” on October 13, 2018.

A 15-month investigation then determined that the victim didn’t receive the “necessaries of life,” such as food, shelter, medical attention, and protection from harm.

On Monday, the BC Prosecution Service approved charges against the caregiver, Astrid Charlotte Dahl, and the community living centre that contracted her, Kinsight Community Society.

Kinsight describes itself on its website as an accredited not-for-profit organization that works with families and individuals who have developmental delays or disabilities.

Dahl, 51-years-old, has been charged with:

  • Criminal negligence causing death, section 220(b) of the Criminal Code,
  • Fail to perform a legal duty to provide necessaries, section 215(2)(b) Criminal Code.

The Director of Kinsight Community Society has been charged with:

  • Fail to perform a legal duty to provide necessaries, section 215(2)(b) Criminal Code.

A statement from the Coquitlam RCMP says that both Dahl and the director of Kinsight will make a court appearance in March.

“This has been an exhaustive investigation into the care of the victim in the years and months leading up to her death,” says Corporal Michael McLaughlin with Coquitlam RCMP in an email. “This is a very sad situation. We know these charges can’t bring the victim back, but perhaps they give a voice to a vulnerable person who couldn’t speak for herself.”

“As police we have a duty to protect all vulnerable people whether they are in care or not,” he said. “If you have information about neglect or abuse that could be criminal, please don’t hesitate to call your police of jurisdiction.”

Vincent PlanaVincent Plana

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