Man claims caregiver robbed him, starts fundraiser

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This article was published 14/12/2017 (2324 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A disabled, single dad claims a health-care aide robbed him while he was asleep, and he’s started a GoFundMe page to make up for the stolen money.

Trevor Cayer, 36, said he was asleep on Dec. 6 when $1,000 he had hidden in his bedroom, and his wallet (which contained $250), as well as a GPS device, went missing.

Cayer suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic disorder that causes weakness and degeneration of the muscles.

As a result, he is in a wheelchair, has a tracheotomy (a tube in his windpipe that makes it easier for him to breathe) and a ventilator.

He said he suspects it was a member of his staff who has been working for him since February. Cayer suspects the worker invited a friend into his Winnipeg home that evening. Staff working for him have access to his house and car keys, he said.

On the way to an appointment the next day, Cayer discovered his wallet wasn’t in his backpack. He said he was with a trusted member of his staff at the time.

“I started putting everything together,” he said.

“Someone in my staff took my stuff without my knowledge when I was sleeping.

“It’s perplexing that someone who has been here for a while would even attempt to do something like that.”

The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority declined to comment Thursday on the allegations.

In a statement, the WRHA said if any client suspects criminal activity has taken place, they should notify their case co-ordinator.

Cayer said he interviewed his health-care aides before hiring them, and doesn’t hire solely on a resumé, either. He requires them to submit a criminal background check, to ensure the safety of his 13-year-old daughter.

A few months ago, he said someone had rifled through papers in his van, but nothing was stolen.

Cayer said he met with Winnipeg police officers on Wednesday, who suggested the suspects take a lie-detector test.

However, Cayer said he would not wait for such a test, and plans to fire the worker who was at his residence on Dec. 6.

“I have enough just cause as it is to let go of that certain employee,” he said.

As of Thursday, Cayer had raised $485 in only 18 hours.

kiera.kowalski@freepress.mb.ca