Toronto police have laid further charges in connection with an elder abuse and fraud investigation after a 94-year-old woman lost $25,000 in a scam.
Police said Thursday that Vera Nunes, 32, and her husband Luis Serpa Da Conceicao Santos, 38, both of Toronto, have now been charged with being unlawful in a dwelling.
Additionally, the couple's charges have been changed to fraud and theft under $5,000. The previous charges were two counts of mischief under $5,000 and mischief interfering with property.
On Wednesday, police held a news conference to announce the arrest of the couple accused of defrauding Norma Marshall.
The Toronto woman lost her life savings and almost all her jewelry and furniture when her housekeeper's family moved into her Toronto home, police said on Wednesday.
Police began investigating the couple after a pharmacist and a delivery man became concerned about the situation in Marshall's home and notified police, prompting officials to conduct a wellness check.
In the news conference on Wednesday, Marshall, standing beside police, said she hired her housekeeper Nunes almost four years ago, when her previous caretaker left.
Marshall said Nunes assisted her in all her daily activities. She cleaned the house, but soon offered to cook for Marshall as well, so she didn't need to rely on Meals on Wheels, a program that delivers meals for about $5 to elderly and disabled residents.
Police allege Nunes eventually gained access to Marshall's bank accounts.
In early 2014, police said the housekeeper told Marshall she'd be moving back to her native country of Portugal and invited the elderly senior to accompany her family.
Marshall agreed and was "coerced" into helping her housekeeper's family financially with her move.
In March, Marshall said Nunes along with her two children and her husband moved into her home. They moved the elderly woman into a smaller bedroom and sold off her furniture and jewellery.
Police say crimes against the elderly are widely underreported and are hoping to raise awareness about some of the tactics used to target the elderly with this case.
A trust fund has been set up for public access. Police say anyone wishing to donate to the "Norma Marshall trust account" can go to any RBC branch.
Nunes and her husband are scheduled to appear in court Friday at 10 a.m.
