Family of jailed stroke victim demands answers

The family of an Indian Brook woman arrested for public intoxication in Truro last week and now clinging to life in a Halifax hospital says police took five hours to call 911 after finding her unresponsive in her jail cell.

Victoria Paul, 44, is on life support at the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax after suffering a stroke.

She was arrested for public intoxicationearly Fridaymorning outside a bar in Truro. She was with her son, Deveron Paul, who was arrested at the same timefor allegedly breaching his bail conditions.

Deveron Paul said police officers were rough with him, and his mother tried to intervene. He said six or seven officers struggled with her.

"She was fighting back a little bit because they were restraining her, but they were being too rough with her because I heard her screaming, 'You're bending my arm too hard,' and stuff like that," he told CBC News Wednesday.

Deveron was placed in the jail cell next to his mother's. The next morning, he said, police told him they couldn't rouse her.

Deveron said his mother still wasn't moving or talking an hour later. He said he toldpoliceto takeher to the hospital, but five hours went by before someone called 911.

Kimber Paul, Victoria's sister, wants answers from police.

"The first time they saw her and she wasn't responding, why didn't they call then?" said Kimber.

She said doctors determined that Victoria had suffered a massive stroke. Kimber said they expect her sister will die when they disconnect the respirator on Thursday.

"Right now, I'm really angry with it," said Kimber. "And I'd like to have answers. I do. And I am getting an autopsy on my sister. I'll have those answers then, to see if they did abuse her in any way."

Truro police Chief Dave MacNeil confirmed that a woman was arrested early Friday and was later taken to hospital.

He told CBC News he hadn't heard about Victoria Paul until today and didn't have any details. He saidhe wants to talk with the Paul family.