Foster parents of woman with Down syndrome charged with theft
Tuesday, March 05, 2013 by: SooToday.com Staff
OPP NEWS RELEASE
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Misuse of client’s finances
SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - Sault Ste. Marie OPP have laid charges against two females who were foster parents for a 51-year-old female with Down syndrome.
Fifty-three-year-old Donna Matte of Sydenham Road, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario has been arrested and charged with one count of theft under $5,000.
Thirty-year-old Tiffany Slivinsky of 34 Rooley Lane, Fenwick Township, Goulais River, Ontario has been arrested and charged with one count of theft under $5,000.
It is alleged that the victim, while in the care of Matte between February 2009 and the August 2011, and Slivinsky between September 2011 and December 2012, had income missing and unaccounted for.
It is alleged that the two foster parents were using the victim’s income for personal purchases.
Both accused have been released on a promise to appear for provincial court in Sault Ste. Marie on April 15, 2013.
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To read today's full OPP Beat report, click here.
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Norm 3/5/2013 2:32:26 PM ReportThat's a sad story, pretty much two foolish women, or perhaps they needed the money badly. For whatever reason, very sad.
KMF61MCF 3/5/2013 2:34:27 PM ReportReal class acts preying on the most vulnerable.
Over_the_hill 3/5/2013 2:48:07 PM ReportNobody needs money that bad. Have we regressed to the dark ages. It happens all to frequently with the old and the needy. Throw the book at those two. That is, if they are guilty even of a small fraction of the charge(s).
JUSTANOTHERNAME 3/5/2013 2:56:13 PM ReportHow/why are they only proving or finding evidence now if she lived with the first accused women from 2009-2011? It seems strange that this victim has lived with only 2 caregivers in that time frame and both have taken advantage of her. If they are both guilty by all means they should have the book thrown at them but why were they not held accountable until now? This went on for 4 years, surely this victim should not have suffered finicial set back for that long in order to make a case against them.
Snowdon 3/5/2013 3:10:15 PM ReportOh look, JUSTANOTHERNAME is just another Sootoday.com detective, and is on the case on the basis of a short little article. Never fear Saultites, we have our brightest commenters on the case!
newcon 3/5/2013 3:16:14 PM ReportDon't jump to conclusions people...we live in a politically correct system that will portray these women as victims. Somewhere this is the fault of a failed system that is concerned only about Corporate Society and the ndp will be seeking answers and the liberals will come up with those answers. All of this could have been prevented if we didn't scrap the firearms registry and George Bush lost to Algore. And let's not forget the negative effects of "man made global whining er I mean warming" Worrying about the earth melting away is causing people to steal from the intellectually deprived.
Oh the humanity.
Newcon
thesharr 3/5/2013 3:32:40 PM ReportCome on,what's next.Stealing from a developmently challenged person,how sad and disgusting.How embarrasing is that for these two women,I hope they get what's coming to them!!!!
MsNic 3/5/2013 3:46:23 PM ReportI have knowledge that may help answer your questions. These 2 women are mother and daughter. The woman with down syndrome lived with Donna for many years and then Donna passed her on to her daughter Tiffany. She was then moved into a nursing home but I am not sure why. Donna is not hurting financially. I don't know about Tiffany. In all the years that Donna cared for the woman with Down Syndrome I never saw any abuse or neglect, in fact she was always nicely dressed and kept busy with all the family activities. I am not taking sides, just stating facts.
Prrrrrrr 3/5/2013 4:08:52 PM ReportCHARGED, NOT YET FOUND GUILTY!!!
IN MY OPINION this should not be news until they are found guilty!!!
Save your stones until you know who to throw them at!!!
Ricatoni 3/5/2013 4:11:13 PM Reportwell the cops dont usually charge people unless they have good cause or reason.Just sayin!!!!! pretty freakin sad to steal money from someone who is disabled........this is pretty low......
Nimrod 3/5/2013 4:11:31 PM ReportThe fact is they have been charged with theft! That's a fact !
rcamp211 3/5/2013 4:46:51 PM ReportHey "Snowdon" that was a stupid comment!
Gater 3/5/2013 5:28:52 PM ReportUnbelievable / brutal.. Looks like you plant a potato you get potato.
I hope the victim is doing well..How does this go on for so long without detection??
Wobbler 3/5/2013 8:14:50 PM ReportWhen the woman was placed in a nursing home, her financial matters would have had to be looked at. Her assets and income are used to pay for her care in the nursing home. So more than likely, when this woman's bank account was audited the discrepancies were found.
Bad Dawg 3/6/2013 9:52:59 AM Reportwell it is tax time... maybe she noticed some money taken out of a savings account that she doesn't pay that much attention to. The point is she was robbed... it doesn't matter who or why!!
Sieko 3/6/2013 12:05:57 PM ReportHow sad. It surprises me to see this. The daughter took my Son out a few times, a few years back, when I needed respite. She was good with him. He really liked her.
Any of the workers my son has had at CLA have been excellent as well, and have always been super helpful. They can only do so much before their hands are tied. I have to agree about the guy who was running it back then. When we needed help the most, he was very rude and made it clear he didn't give a damn. Anything but caring.
Note: Comments that appear on the site are not the opinion of SooToday.com. Keep discussions civil and on topic. Refrain from obscenity and don't post anything that your grandmother would be ashamed to read. Those who do not abide by these guidelines will have their membership revoked without notice. If you see an abusive post, please click the link beside the post to report it.
