A man has been charged with manslaughter in the death of a fellow resident at an east-Toronto health care facility.
Police allege that in late February, a 68-year-old resident of Bridgepoint Active Health near the Don Valley Parkway and Gerrard St E pushed another resident, 90-year-old Catherine McNamee to the ground. McNamee hit her head.
Det.-Const. Gary Giroux describes Bridgepoint as an extended care facility for people with physical and psychological challenges.
He explains McNamee was treated in hospital, evaluated and cleared to return to Bridgepoint but died within a few days. Giroux says the pathological findings pointed to the push that resulted in McNamee 's fall in which she hit her head brought on her death.
"As a result of a head injury oftentimes, as is in this case, there was some aspiration of stomach contents into the lungs, which starts a bacterial infection that resulted ultimately in her death."
Terry Shorter faces a charge of manslaughter and remains in police custody
Giroux could not say what brought on the confrontation but that it was witnessed by Bridgepoint staff. He adds that there was no relationship between McNamee and Shorter beyond living at the same facility.