A mother from the Toronto area is demanding accountability after her son was “savagely bitten” on the neck by another resident in a group home currently facing a labor dispute.
Jan Beddoe expressed her “absolute fury” following the December 23 incident involving her 47-year-old son Chris, who resides at a facility operated by Central West Specialized Developmental Services. This home is funded by the province and supports adults with developmental disabilities, with additional locations in Burlington, Halton Hills, Mississauga, and Oakville.
The attack occurred over two months after approximately 40 residents were moved to the main facility in downtown Oakville to ensure adequate staffing for continuous care due to an anticipated strike by support staff.
Workers represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union went on strike in mid-November, about 40 days after CWSDS requested a no-board report from Ontario’s Ministry of Labour. Since then, third-party agency staff have been providing support in the main Oakville facility.
Beddoe claims that Chris was attacked upstairs while all staff members present were attending a meeting. She stated that he had to reach the top of the stairs before anyone could respond to his calls for help.
After seeing a nurse on site, Chris was taken to a hospital where he received several stitches, according to Beddoe. The Canadian Press reviewed photos of his injury, showing a deep wound running from his chin to his jawline.
“As soon as the incident happened, (I felt) terrible fear,” Beddoe said in an interview. “But once I knew he was all right and he was going to be all right, then I was just absolutely furious, beyond furious. I did not hear from the centre. I did not hear from house management.”
Beddoe holds the incident “fully accountable” due to understaffing and some unqualified staff members who aren’t familiar enough with clients’ individualized needs.
She explained that Chris’s wound required daily packing with gauze for about another month since part of it was closed with stitches.
CWSDS CEO Patricia Kyle declined to comment specifically on the bite due to patient confidentiality but stated that “supervision was in place at the time of the incident.”
The organization takes pride in providing high-quality and compassionate care for individuals with complex developmental needs,” Kyle noted via email to The Canadian Press.
Union spokesperson Jolene Cushman mentioned that OPSEU is aware of what happened.
“This is a dangerous situation that members have been warning could happen long before they went on strike,” she wrote in an email.
After being bitten, Chris returned home for two weeks. Beddoe shared that their family enjoyed a “lovely Christmas” despite being in shock.
Beyond managing typical care for Chris-who has significant dietary restrictions due to Prader-Willi syndrome-Beddoe also had to bathe him and clean his wound every day.
<p“My one daughter took a week off work to stay with me to help care for Chris because I can’t do it myself,” said Beddoe, who is 73 years old. “We just laid low and cared for him.”
Chris has gone back to the Oakville home but now resides in a different unit without any “high needs” or “high volatility” clients as requested by Beddoe through multiple letters sent to management.
<p“ He is very content not to be frightened,” she remarked but added that Chris still hasn’t been interviewed by CWSDS staff regarding an incident report.
Kyle stated that CWSDS has been “supporting and communicating extensively with the person supported and their family” concerning their safety and well-being.”
Nonetheless, Beddoe worries about care levels while agency workers remain as primary caregivers during this ongoing strike. She believes unfamiliarity with residents’ specific needs makes it an unsafe environment. Furthermore, she feels frustrated about what she sees as inadequate communication and transparency from CWSDS.
Beddoe isn’t alone; more than a dozen families wrote Ontario Premier Doug Ford back in October asking for assistance returning their loved ones back into their usual homes after they were moved without consent into this main facility where they felt less comfortable among unfamiliar staff members who didn’t know them well enough yet needed regular routines established together again sooner rather than later!
Family members raised concerns once more when front-line workers went on strike last November questioning how quality would drop overall concerning caring properly!Before Chris’s biting episode unfolded earlier last month beforehand even occurring altogether previously known issues came up earlier brought forth written correspondence drafted between Shannon (his sister) addressing openly addressing challenges faced whilst residing there needing improvements made directly improving conditions immediately necessary ASAP!During discussions held within Ontario legislature late November Michael Parsa-the minister responsible stated every agency must maintain strong contingency plans ensuring best possible outcomes supporting those receiving services available throughout province obligations set forth determined upon establishing thorough inspections undertaken consistently overseen regulatory bodies meant ensuring transparency promised towards public trust fostering necessary partnerships facilitating cooperation keeping everyone informed routinely updated accordingly!Allegations surrounding abuse neglect are directed through Report ON presently awaiting action taken measures reported immediately needed clarifying positions established moving forward prioritized greater safety standards need addressing urgently underlined deemed priority areas essential implementing feedback provided enacting real change warranted shifts noticed positively ensuring smooth transitions finalized effectively where required moving ahead successfully achieving collaborative efforts yielding improved experiences greatly anticipated outcomes met entirely fulfilling commitments vowed fulfill accordingly enhancing satisfaction bringing peace minds achieved long sought dreams realized!
Meanwhile Halton police confirmed tragic news-a resident passed away within premises December albeit ruled non-suspicious circumstances prompting attention raised repeatedly resulting further investigation pursued actively searching relevant matters needed clarification required situations arose considering overall context surrounding subject matter highlighted arising concerns voiced frequently. On January tenth OPSEU President JP Hornick penned heartfelt letter addressed formally reaching out directly board directors encouraging them assume responsibility critically assessing situations unfolding surroundings maintaining active dialogue driven toward fostering mutually beneficial resolutions prioritizing health safety avenues explored granting immediate attention drawn towards actions likely mitigate further risks encountered! As labor disputes persist escalating tensions continue provoke anxiety among families worried outcome affects others too observed rising apprehension prevalent sentiments mirrored across many households emphasizing collective fears rooted deeply embedded concerns arising evoking thoughts possibly affecting anyone involved eventually down road!
“I think everyone feels: if this can happen here-then what’s stopping something similar happening elsewhere?” she concluded grimly affirming truth hidden realities lurking behind challenging moments faced collectively endured together while navigating tumultuous waters swirling around us lately..
This report by The Canadian Press was first Jan. 15, 2026.
Cassidy Mc Mackon,The Canadian Press Last 30 Days: 72 ,564 Votes All Time :1 ,158 ,927 Votes 4067 VOTES
Source link
“As soon as the incident happened, (I felt) terrible fear,” Beddoe said in an interview. “But once I knew he was all right and he was going to be all right, then I was just absolutely furious, beyond furious. I did not hear from the centre. I did not hear from house management.”
Beddoe holds the incident “fully accountable” due to understaffing and some unqualified staff members who aren’t familiar enough with clients’ individualized needs.
She explained that Chris’s wound required daily packing with gauze for about another month since part of it was closed with stitches.
CWSDS CEO Patricia Kyle declined to comment specifically on the bite due to patient confidentiality but stated that “supervision was in place at the time of the incident.”
The organization takes pride in providing high-quality and compassionate care for individuals with complex developmental needs,” Kyle noted via email to The Canadian Press.
Union spokesperson Jolene Cushman mentioned that OPSEU is aware of what happened.
“This is a dangerous situation that members have been warning could happen long before they went on strike,” she wrote in an email.
After being bitten, Chris returned home for two weeks. Beddoe shared that their family enjoyed a “lovely Christmas” despite being in shock.
Beyond managing typical care for Chris-who has significant dietary restrictions due to Prader-Willi syndrome-Beddoe also had to bathe him and clean his wound every day.
<p“My one daughter took a week off work to stay with me to help care for Chris because I can’t do it myself,” said Beddoe, who is 73 years old. “We just laid low and cared for him.”
Chris has gone back to the Oakville home but now resides in a different unit without any “high needs” or “high volatility” clients as requested by Beddoe through multiple letters sent to management.
<p“ He is very content not to be frightened,” she remarked but added that Chris still hasn’t been interviewed by CWSDS staff regarding an incident report.
Kyle stated that CWSDS has been “supporting and communicating extensively with the person supported and their family” concerning their safety and well-being.”
Nonetheless, Beddoe worries about care levels while agency workers remain as primary caregivers during this ongoing strike. She believes unfamiliarity with residents’ specific needs makes it an unsafe environment. Furthermore, she feels frustrated about what she sees as inadequate communication and transparency from CWSDS.
Beddoe isn’t alone; more than a dozen families wrote Ontario Premier Doug Ford back in October asking for assistance returning their loved ones back into their usual homes after they were moved without consent into this main facility where they felt less comfortable among unfamiliar staff members who didn’t know them well enough yet needed regular routines established together again sooner rather than later!
Family members raised concerns once more when front-line workers went on strike last November questioning how quality would drop overall concerning caring properly!Before Chris’s biting episode unfolded earlier last month beforehand even occurring altogether previously known issues came up earlier brought forth written correspondence drafted between Shannon (his sister) addressing openly addressing challenges faced whilst residing there needing improvements made directly improving conditions immediately necessary ASAP!During discussions held within Ontario legislature late November Michael Parsa-the minister responsible stated every agency must maintain strong contingency plans ensuring best possible outcomes supporting those receiving services available throughout province obligations set forth determined upon establishing thorough inspections undertaken consistently overseen regulatory bodies meant ensuring transparency promised towards public trust fostering necessary partnerships facilitating cooperation keeping everyone informed routinely updated accordingly!Allegations surrounding abuse neglect are directed through Report ON presently awaiting action taken measures reported immediately needed clarifying positions established moving forward prioritized greater safety standards need addressing urgently underlined deemed priority areas essential implementing feedback provided enacting real change warranted shifts noticed positively ensuring smooth transitions finalized effectively where required moving ahead successfully achieving collaborative efforts yielding improved experiences greatly anticipated outcomes met entirely fulfilling commitments vowed fulfill accordingly enhancing satisfaction bringing peace minds achieved long sought dreams realized!Meanwhile Halton police confirmed tragic news-a resident passed away within premises December albeit ruled non-suspicious circumstances prompting attention raised repeatedly resulting further investigation pursued actively searching relevant matters needed clarification required situations arose considering overall context surrounding subject matter highlighted arising concerns voiced frequently. On January tenth OPSEU President JP Hornick penned heartfelt letter addressed formally reaching out directly board directors encouraging them assume responsibility critically assessing situations unfolding surroundings maintaining active dialogue driven toward fostering mutually beneficial resolutions prioritizing health safety avenues explored granting immediate attention drawn towards actions likely mitigate further risks encountered! As labor disputes persist escalating tensions continue provoke anxiety among families worried outcome affects others too observed rising apprehension prevalent sentiments mirrored across many households emphasizing collective fears rooted deeply embedded concerns arising evoking thoughts possibly affecting anyone involved eventually down road!
“I think everyone feels: if this can happen here-then what’s stopping something similar happening elsewhere?” she concluded grimly affirming truth hidden realities lurking behind challenging moments faced collectively endured together while navigating tumultuous waters swirling around us lately..
This report by The Canadian Press was first Jan. 15, 2026.
Cassidy Mc Mackon,The Canadian Press Last 30 Days: 72 ,564 Votes All Time :1 ,158 ,927 Votes 4067 VOTES
Do you plan to cut down on restaurant meals in 2026?
INsauga’s Editorial Standards and PoliciesSource link
