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 wasallegedly assaulted and given a noxious substance.

Immacula Eugne, 51, and Marie-Margaret Ptim, 46, were eacharraigned in Longueuilon Tuesday on two charges of drugtrafficking, two of conspiracy and two of administering a noxioussubstance.

Eugne was also charged with armed assault.

The alleged crimes took place last July.

The 87-year-old victimdied two months later but it was only on Nov. 21 that policereceived 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 whetherthe woman died directly from the alleged assault.

But we dont 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 fromwithin the centre.

CHSLDSt-Lambert-sur-Le-Golfis a public-private-partnership run by Groupe Savoie, which runs several other private residences. In Quebec, long-term health care facilitiesare known by the french acronym, CHSLD.

Natalie Savoie of Group Savoie said they havecollaborated 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.