Toronto children of mother who died from overdose search for new home
Two Toronto children who found their mother dying from a fentanyl overdose in her bedroom last year are anxious to move to a new home.
Twelve-year-old Dynasty and 13-year-old Caden don’t sleep in their bedrooms anymore. To get there, they’d have to pass the room where they found their mother Mercy Davis.
“That is a feeling I can’t describe. It was terrible feeling,” Dynasty told CTV News Toronto Wednesday. “I remember I couldn’t eat for three days. That’s what I remember about it,” she said crying.
Dynasty now sleeps on a couch in the living room and Caden sleeps in the basement, which doesn’t have a window.
Grandmother Tammy sleeps on the sofa next to Dynasty and is now is the children's legal caregiver. She says her daughter was a good person and ended up some cocaine laced with the powerful opioid.
“We’d always have movie nights, eat popcorn, things like that. Sometimes go on bike rides,” said Caden.
“I miss her cooking. She was an amazing cook,” said Dynasty.
Mercy Davis is seen in this undated photograph provided to CTV News Toronto.
The constant reminders are just one reason Tammy said she has been pleading with Toronto Community Housing to move the family, ever since Mercy’s death 14 months ago.
“I’m crushed. The situations that are happening now with the windows being broken out, my mailbox being thrown, I’m not even getting my mail anymore. They’re bulling my grandson. I want to react, but I don’t because I’m trying to be strong for them,” explained an emotional Tammy.
In a statement, Toronto Community Housing said, “it’s sensitive to the trauma and distress the Davis family has suffered and is committed to supporting them.”
It said the family has been approved for a transfer and they are working with them to find a new place.
“The search has been impacted by the requirement to find a vacant unit of similar size that is close to their current location. We will be meeting with the tenant to discuss broadening the search area, which may help to find a suitable new home," said a spokesperson.
Tammy insists she’s been open to moving to any location and doesn’t understand why there has been such a delay.
“I told the housing, I would take anywhere. I didn’t care where it was. Please just get us out of here. How can we move on and have a fresh start if you keep us in this. In where the devastation happened,” said Tammy.
Tammy is seen with her grandchildren Dynasty and Caden. (Beth Macdonell/CTV News Toronto)
Dynasty and Caden are both unhappy in the townhouse and are anxious to move and have their own space.
“I would like to get out of the complex. Out of the area would be nice. Other than that I don’t really know,” said Dynasty.
“Anywhere but here. I just don’t want to be here at all,” said Caden.
The family believes moving in an important step to to help them heal and move forward in a positive way.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.