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Emma Kadnar: Diapering of Continent Senior

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First Correspondence

November 20, 2007

Ms. Sue Chandler,
Complaints Director
College & Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta
11620 168 Street
Edmonton, AB T5M 4A6

Complaint Against Director of Care
Carole Oelke RN, Salem Manor Nursing Home
4419 46 St. Leduc AB T9E 6L2

Re: Emma Kadnar

Further to a meeting of September 25/07, with the Guardians of Emma Kadnar and management staff of the Salem Manor Nursing Home (attached Agenda) there appears to have been no amelioration of Emma Kadnar’s situation.

  1. Emma Kadnar is being diapered and instructed to use her diaper. Despite our ongoing complaints, this horrific, demeaning process continues to happen. Emma Kadnar is not incontinent.
  2. Sometimes Emma Kadnar is not taken out of bed until noon. We have recommended that a caregiver companion should be made available to assist her for some hours of the day.

We allege that Ms. Carole Oelke RN:

  • fails to act as a patient advocate
  • fails to act in a professional and ethical manner
  • fails to act in the best interests of the client
  • fails to maintain protocol and standards that result in safe, ethical care

We request your investigation into this matter. We would be grateful to be in receipt of a response by the 20th December, 2007. Thank you.

Elder Advocates Of Alberta Society

Via Facsimile

cc. Emma Kadnar

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Second Correspondence

December 20th, 2007

The Honourable Mr. Greg Melchin,
Minister Seniors and Community Support Services
Alberta Legislature Building

Complaint against Guardians
Mrs Elsie Tomaszewski,
Box # 29, Sunnybrook, AB T0C 2M0

Mrs. Loretta (Douglas) Sontag
9516 Olaf Rd, Prince George, BC V2K 5H8

RE: Emma Kadnar DOB 11/28/25 Salem Manor, 4419 46 Street Leduc AB T9E 6L2

Abuse / Violation of Emma Kadnar’s Rights

Because the Protection For Persons in Care Act cannot investigate concerns about Guardians and Trustees, we are addressing this to you.

Further to a meeting of September 25/07, with Guardian Elsie Tomaszewski, Co-Guardian Loretta Sontag, and management staff of the Salem Manor Nursing Home (attached Agenda) there appears to have been no amelioration of Emma Kadnar’s situation.

  1. Emma Kadnar is being diapered and instructed to use a diaper. Despite our ongoing complaints, this horrific demeaning process continues to happen. Emma Kadnar is not incontinent.
  2. Sometimes Emma Kadnar is not taken out of bed until noon. We recommend that a companion should be made available to assist Emma Kadnar, for some hours of the day.
  3. She wishes to attend at her home in Thorsby. An appropriate vehicle should be made available for her use. This outing should be facilitated by the guardians.
  4. The guardians are sharply restricting the visits by friend and caregiver Kerry Modin to Emma Kadnar.

    Complaint against Guardian Elsie Tomaszewski, Co-Guardian Loretta Sontag

    He is allowed to visit between eight and four PM and only for an hour. He cannot enter the facility past the waiting room and is dependant on staff to bring Emma to the entrance for the visit.

    Sometimes his visit is sharply curtailed because of the staff’s failure to bring Emma Kadnar to the entrance area for the visit.

    Kerry Modin has to break up his work day to visit her, which he does daily, at a financial cost and inconvenience.

  5. Kerry Modin is not allowed to visit Emma Kadnar on weekends. Frequently she has no visitors on weekends, especially on long weekends. Since there are no recreation activities on weekends, the days become long and lonely for her.

    We have in our possession, twenty letters which were written in support of this man, nine of the letters refer to the fact that the now deceased Mr. Kadnar had asked Kerry Modin to “look after his missus” when he was gone. There has been total disregard of Mr. Kadnar’s wishes.

  6. On November 5, 2007, Ruth Maria Adria, Elder Advocates of Alberta Society, was barred from visiting Emma Kadnar

    These arbitrary decisions totally violate Emma Kadnar’s rights.

  7. As noted in the attached Agenda, there has been failure by management staff to treat Emma Kadnar’s visitors with respect. The guardians should be addressing this and protecting her.

The Guardians have been court appointed to act in the best interests of this Alberta citizen and make her life more tolerable. This is not happening.

Thank you.

Elder Advocates of Alberta Society,

Via Facsimile

c.c Emma Kadnar

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Third Correspondence

November 5, 2007

Ms. Allison Turner,
Public Guardian Officer

Mrs. Elsie Tomaszewski, Guardian
Box #29
Sunnybrook, AB T0C 2M0

Mrs. Loretta Sontag, Co-Guardian
Prince George, BC

RE: Emma Kadnar DOB 11/28/25 Salem Manor Nsg. Home, 4419 46 Street Leduc AB T9E 6L2

Violation of Emma Kadnar’s Rights

Further to our meeting of September 25/07, with Guardian Elsie Tomaszewski, Co-Guardian Loretta Sontag, and management staff of the Salem Manor Nursing Home (attached Agenda) there appears to have been no amelioration of Emma Kadnar’s situation.

  1. She is being told to use her diaper and because of the extreme short staffing this horrific demeaning process is happening too frequently. She is not incontinent. Furthermore, sometimes she is not taken out of bed until noon. We suggest that a companion for some hours of the day should be made available to assist Emma Kadnar.
  2. She has no access to her financial resources, why? When she is taken out by friends, she has no access to her money.
  3. She wishes to attend at her home in Thorsby. An appropriate vehicle should be made available for her use. This should have happened months ago.
  4. Why is there a restriction in regard to the visits of Mr, Kerry Modin? We have in our possession, twenty letters which were written in support of this man, nine of the letters refer to the fact that the now deceased Mr. Kadnar had asked Kerry Modin to “look afer his missus” when he was gone. There has been total disregard of Mr. Kadnar’s wishes.
  5. Why is he allowed to visit only between eight and four PM and only for an hour? He has to break up his work day to visit her, which he does at a financial cost and inconvenience.
  6. Why is he not allowed to visit on weekends? It strongly appears that Emma Kadnar and kerry Modin are being disciplined. These arbitrary decisions totally violate Emma Kadnar’s rights.
  7. We were informed by Mr. Frank Tomaszewski, that Emma Kadnar’s home was being appraised, by whose decision, for what purpose? Mrs Kadnar was not informed of this.
  8. As noted in the attached Agenda, there has been failure by management staff to treat Emma Kadnar’s visitors with respect.

The Guardians and the Office of the Public Trustee exist to serve this Alberta citizen’s best interests and help to make her life more tolerable.

We are requesting prompt action to rectify this long standing situation and be grateful to be in receipt of a reply by November 14, 2007. Thank you.

Elder Advocates Of Alberta Society

Honorable Ron Stevens, Minister of Justice
Honorable Greg Melchin, Minister, Seniors and Community Supports
Honorable Dave Hancock, Minister of Health and Wellness
Mr. Albert Klapstein, Chairman and Board Members of Salem Manor Society
Mrs. Emma Kadnar

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Agenda

September 25, 2007 @11:00 AM
Salem Manor Nursing Home
Re: Emma Kadnar aka Ermgard Kadnar

  1. Introductions
  2. Approval of Agenda
  3. Diapering of Emma Kadnar
  4. Availability for Emma Kadnar to her financial resources such as for handi-bus, lunches and outings
  5. Behavior of staff toward Emma Kadnar’s visitors and support friends
    • Bernie Pankonin, Administrator
    • Wanda Rickett – RSW
    • Carole Oelke RN Director of Care
  6. Handi-bus/van for Emma Kadnar’s use outside of Leduc
  7. Emma Kadnar’s right to have visitors of her choosing.
    • Be permitted to have visitors of her choosing at all times, on the weekend when there are no activities.
    • Remove restrictions from Emma Kadnar’s visitors according to her wishes
    • Treat with dignity all of Emma Kadnar’s visitors.
  8. Emma Kadnar’s house maintenance/ cleaned / garden according to her wishes
  9. Emma Kadnar’s initiative to visit her home when she wishes.

Public Trustee Officer, Cheryl Hammond, has declined to attend.

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Fourth Correspondence

November 9, 2007

To the Honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Ron Stevens

Complaint against the Office of the Public Trustee Representative
Cheryl Hammond (resigned)
Allison Turner

RE: Emma Kadnar DOB 11/28/25
Salem Manor Nsg. Home,
4419 46 St. Leduc, AB T9E 6L2

ABUSE / VIOLATION OF EMMA KADNAR’S RIGHTS

Further to a meeting of September 25/07, with Guardian Elsie Tomaszewski, Co-Guardian Loretta Sontag, and management staff of the Salem Manor Nursing Home (attached Agenda) there appears to have been no amelioration of Emma Kadnar’s situation.

  1. She has no access to her financial resources, why? When she is taken out by friends, she has no access to her money.
  2. She wishes to attend at her home in Thorsby. An appropriate vehicle should be made available for her use. This should have happened months ago.
  3. We were informed by Mr. Frank Tomaszewski, that Emma Kadnar’s home was being appraised, by whose decision, for what purpose? Mrs Kadnar was not informed of this.

The Guardians and the Office of the Public Trustee exist to serve this Alberta citizen’s best interests and help to make her life more tolerable.

We are requesting prompt action to rectify this long standing situation and be grateful to be in receipt of a reply by November 21, 2007. Thank you.

Elder Advocates Of Alberta Society

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Fifth Correspondence

December 20th, 2007
via Facsimile (780) 415-9411

The Honourable Mr. Greg Melchin,
Minister Seniors and Community Support Services
Alberta Legislature Building

Guardians of Emma Kadnar:

Mrs. Elsie Tomaszewski,
Box #29, Sunnybrook, AB T0C 2M0
Ph (780) 789-2518

Mrs. Loretta (Douglas) Sontag
9516 Olaf Rd, Prince George, BC V2K 5H8
Ph (250) 962-6137

RE: Emma Kadnar Dependant Adult, Salem Manor, 4419 46 St. Leduc, AB

Further to our telephone call to your Office, 8:30 AM today at which time I spoke with your Executive Assistant in regard to the matter of Emma Kadnar’s Christmas.

At present there is no permission for Emma Kadnar to leave the facility on Christmas Day to spend the day with her adoptive daughter. Transportation is available.

We are respectfully asking the Minister’s Office to instruct the Guardians:

  1. to allow Emma Kadnar to spend Christmas Day at the home of Loni and her family.
  2. to allow full and open visitation of friends and family to Emma Kadnar during the Christmas holiday.

The Guardians have been court appointed to act in the best interests of this Alberta citizen and make her life more tolerable. This is not happening.

Thank you

Elder Advocates of Alberta Society

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Sixth Correspondence

December 24th, 2007

via Facsimile (780) 415-9411

The Honourable Mr. Greg Melchin,
Minister Seniors and Community Support Services

RE: Emma Kadnar Dependant Adult, Salem Manor, 4419 46 St. Leduc, AB; Emma Kadnar’s Christmas

Further to our telephone calls and letters to your Office.

Please assure us that Emma Kadnar will be allowed to celebrate Christmas with family and friends.

There is now finally permission for Emma Kadnar to leave the facility on Christmas Day to spend the day with her adoptive daughter.

We are respectfully asking the Minister’s Office to instruct the Guardian as to the following:

We ask that there be allowed full and open visitation of friends and family to Emma Kadnar during the Christmas holiday. That the police will not be called if friends of Emma attend at the facility, such as Kerry Modin or Ruth Maria Adria.

There has been abuse by all concerned. Emma Kadnar has a large circle of friends & neighbors from Thorsby who continue to support her. A number of them were calling the guardian Guardian Elsie Tomaszewski and management staff of the Salem Manor Nursing Home in an attempt to ameliorate Emma Kadnar’s situation. As a result of the calls, WANDA RICKETT S.W. took Kerry Modin aside and threatened him, unless the calls stop, he will be totally barred. (He was innocent in the matter, he did not make the calls)

  1. Emma Kadnar is being diapered and instructed to use a diaper. Despite ongoing complaints, this horrific demeaning process continues to happen. Emma Kadnar is not incontinent. This is also an abuse of the Health Care system since the facility can claim higher subsidy for the diapering.
  2. Sometimes Emma Kadnar is not taken out of bed until noon.
  3. She is not allowed to attend at her home in Thorsby.
  4. The guardians and management, Wanda Rickett, are sharply restricting the visits by friend and caregiver Kerry Modin. He is allowed to visit between eight and four PM and only for an hour.

He cannot enter the facility past the waiting room and is dependant on staff to bring Emma to the entrance for the visit. Sometimes his visit is sharply curtailed or even does not happen because of the staff’s failure to bring Emma Kadnar to the entrance area for the visit. Emma Kadnar would despair if Kerry Modin were barred.

Emma’s visitors are routinely rudely treated by Wanda Rickett. She accosted the Pastor when he was visiting Emma Kadnar asking who he was, (Who are you?) and why had he not made an appointment.

In nursing homes, Alberta senior citizens are treated like criminals and disciplined as if they had done wrong doing by these pathetic persons who appear to be on a power trip. In fact criminals have rights and appeal processes available to them whereas dependant seniors don’t.

Elder Advocates of Alberta Society

Response

Page 1

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Seventh Correspondence

Hand Delivered

May 9, 2008

The Honourable Ms. Mary Anne Jablonski
Minister for Seniors and Community Support Services
227 Legislature Building

Guardian Abuse / Violation of Emma Kadnar’s Rights Barring Visitors

Further to our correspondence (letter attached) to your office dated April 18th, 2008 and our telephone conversation with your Assistant, Matthew on April 25th, 2008 concerning the total barring of Emma Kadnar’s long time friend and caregiver from visiting her.

To date we have received no reply from your office in regard to this matter. It is difficult to understand how the bizarre process of barring family and friends from elder care facility residents is tolerated by professional nursing staff, physicians, chaplains, social workers and of course Ministers of Government. Residents in these facilities are told, This is your home”, when they enter the facility but they soon learn the reality of their “home”.

There is no legislation to regulate guardians.

We would be grateful to be in receipt of your response in regard to this matter.

Thank you.

Yours truly,

Elder Advocates of Alberta Society

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Response

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Eighth Correspondence

HAND DELIVERED

June 9, 2008

Ms. Cindy Bentz
Office of the Public Trustee
400 South, 10365 97 Street
Edmonton, AB T5J 3Z8

Ms. Lidia Broda, Public Trust Officer

RE: Emma Kadnar DOB 11/28/25 Salem Manor Nsg. Home, 4419 46 St. Leduc AB T9E 6L2

Items are being removed from Emma Kadnar’s home in Thorsby by sister Elsie Tomaszewski and husband Frank. We are aware of this happening as early as May 15th, 2008. Who has given them authority to do so?

Emma Kadnar’s car and truck were removed by “Car Rescue” from her property. The car, which had been a gift to Emma Kadnar from Mr. Kadnar, had very low mileage, approximately 25,000 miles and was in mint condition. Where are these vehicles? Mrs Kadnar was not consulted in regard to these matters. She may have wanted to gift them to someone. Furthermore, we were informed by Mr. Frank Tomaszewski, that Emma Kadnar’s home was being appraised, by whose decision, for what purpose? Mrs. Kadnar was also not informed of this. When your Office applied to the court in Wetaskiwin to remove the name of Kerry Modin from Emma Kadnar’s property, Emma Kadnar was not notified or served.

She continues to express that she wishes to attend at her home in Thorsby. This should be facilitated by your office and an appropriate vehicle made available for her use.

We met with Emma Kadnar yesterday. She has us that her belongings were not to be disposed of until after her decease. This she stated in her will, a will which was drawn up before she was declared incompetent.

Thank you for your attention to these matters. We would be grateful to be in receipt of a reply by June 20th.

Yours truly,

Elder Advocates Of Alberta Society,

CC: (Hand Delivered)
Honourable Ms. Alison Redford, Minister of Justice
Honourable Ms. Jablonski, Minister Seniors and Community Support
Mrs. Diana McQueen, MLA, #620 Legislature Annex,
Mr. George Rogers, MLA, # 503 Legislature Annex
Mr. Kerry Modin

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Response

Page 4

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Letter

November 19, 2009

VIA FACSIMILE 780 415 8611
Letter to follow

Complaint to the Protection For Persons In Care Act abuse line

RE: Mrs. Loretta Sontag (Douglas),
9516 Olaf Road,
Prince George, BC D2K 5H5

It is well over a year since the Guardian of Mrs. Emma Kadnar has denied her the right to have me visit her. It is her strong wish to see me. Attached is a letter from Mrs. Kadnar, that verifies this.

Before Mrs. Kadnar’s husband passed away, he specifically asked me to “Look after his Mrs.” This is also known to the community and to the entire Lutheran Church family in Thorsby. Attached are twenty three letters which verify this.

I ask you to investigate this matter.

Thank you

Yours truly,

Kerry Modin
Box # 715
Calmar, TOC OVO
Ph. 780 940 6097

Attachments

Response

Modin1

Letter

December 1, 2009

VIA FACSIMILE 780 415 8611
Letter to follow

To MS. CHARLOTTE LaROSE,
Complaints Officer,
Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship Act

RE: Mrs. Loretta Sontag (Douglas),
9516 Olaf Road,
Prince George, BC D2K 5H5

Guardian for Mrs. Emma Kadnar

  • Has denied her the right to have me visit her for over a year.
  • Denies socializing with friends
  • Has denied her the right to attend her church or any other functions she wishes to attend.
  • Denied her the right to attend the Easter Service at her church
  • Denied her any of her money
  • Has denied her a phone
  • Denied her very necessary physiotherapy – helping her to walk – physiotherapy for her affected hand.
  • Denied her very necessary dental care – her lower teeth are in bad repair
  • Denied her the right to return to her home which she had been doing even after she was hospitalized, with me, and make muffins, pickles, cook sauerkraut, perogies (two or three times a week) which she loved and which was excellent therapy for her.
  • Visits only, at the most four times a year, lives out of province – does not seem to be aware of the needs of Emma Kadnar.

I again reiterate, before Mrs. Kadnar’s husband passed away, he specifically asked me to “Look after his Mrs”. This is also known to the community and to the entire Lutheran Church family in Thorsby. We have attached twenty three letters to verify this.

I trust that you will bring some justice and fairness for Emma Kadnar, an Alberta citizen who deserves respect and dignity.

Yours truly,

Kerry Modin
Box # 715
Calmar, TOC OVO
Ph. 780 940 6097

Response

Modin2

Letter

March 27, 2010

VIA FACSIMILE 780 415 8611 Letter to follow
To MS. CHARLOTTE LaROSE,
Complaints Officer, Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship Act

RE: Mrs. Loretta Sontag (Douglas),
Box # 29, 9516 Olaf Road,
Prince George, BC D2K 5H5

Mrs Elsie Tomaszewski,
Sunnybrook, AB T0C 2M0

Guardians for Mrs. Emma Kadnar

Dear Madame:

Further to your correspondence of December 17, 2009.

You fail to realize that if the family of Emma Kadnar had not interfered into her private matters with the help of the government, this situation would not exist. How did this happen when her affairs had been legally attended to. Your letter states that I should contact Mrs Sontag. If the government had not interfered and had Emma wrongly declared incompetent she would not have a Guardian.

I am told that Emma sits at the table hoping that I will come through the door.
She has told me on the phone that she feels like she is in a jail and just wants to die because the government has taken all her rights away even changed the title on her farm and sold her farm and now her house against her will.

Her Guardians do not seem to care about her except to isolate her. Neither were present on her birthday or brought her flowers. They never bring her the necessary extras such as fruit, juice or pop, which are so necessary in a nursing home.

I again reiterate, before Mrs. Kadnar’s husband passed away, he specifically asked me to “Look after his Mrs”. This is also known to the community and to the entire Lutheran Church family in Thorsby. I had attached twenty three letters to you to verify this.

I trust that you will bring some justice and fairness for Emma Kadnar, an Alberta citizen who deserves respect and dignity. I first appealed to you in regard to this matter on November 19, 2009, it is now over four months and you continue to disregard this matter and fail to allow Emma to live out her life the way she wants to and not have to adhere to her guardians.

Yours truly,

Kerry Modin
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Response

modin

Contrary to the statements in the letter, Emma Kadnar was not consulted.

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Twelfth Correspondence

July 1, 2010

VIA FACSIMILE 780 415 8611
Letter to follow

Ms. Shirley Peleshytyk,
Office of the Public Guardian
Designated Investigator under the Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship Act

MS. Charlotte LaROSE,
Complaints Officer,

RE; Guardians for Mrs. Emma Kadnar

Mrs. Loretta Sontag (Douglas), Mrs Elsie Tomaszewski,
Prince George, BC D2K 5H5 Ravine Villas, Leduc, AB.

Dear Ms. Peleshytyk:

Further to your correspondence of June 3, 2010, you state my complaint is unfounded, what do you mean? It is very founded. I am disallowed to visit Emma. Emma is disallowed to see me. Other visitors are also being sharply restricted. Why? The complaint is very founded.

Furthermore your letter is untruthful, when you state that Emma Kadnar was consulted. She was not! You did not dare consult her.

Many times, she has told me on the phone that she feels like she is in a jail because the government has taken all her rights away. She would like to have a phone of her own but this is denied her by her guardians, Loretta Sontag and Elsie Tomaszewski, She asked to spend the festive holidays, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving by her adopted daughter and family, knowing I have a handi-capped van equipped with wheel chair lift to transport her. This request also continues to be denied by the guardians. This past Easter, Emma spent the day at the nursing home though she wanted to attend at her church in Thorsby.

At a meeting held at the Warburg Senior’s Center, hosted by the Honourable Marianne Jablonski, Public Guardian Brenda Lee Doyle, MLA Diane McQueen and you to discuss the AGTA with seniors. It was stated by Ms. Doyle, that no senior’s property would be liquidated unless money was needed for the care of the dependent adult. An objection was raised from the audience because they were aware this was already happening.

How come if you and the guardians are acting in her best interests, her house and property were sold without consulting her? Her wishes were to not sell her property. Furthermore, she was never informed, served or in any way notified regarding the Government’s abusive actions. Every time she calls me, she asks me when I can take her back to the house in Thorsby to make perogies and sauerkraut. No one has the courage to tell her the house has been already sold.

One of the guiding principles of the new Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship Act (AGTA) is, to act in the best interests of the dependent adult. According to Emma, you are not adhering to her wishes, which is causing her emotional stress and is not allowing her to live out her remaining years as she would like to.

You and the Public Trustee / government, sold her house, sold her farm and now continue to abuse her by allowing her to be deliberately isolated.

You and her guardians are culpable in the abuse of Emma Kadnar per the
Protection for Persons in Care Act Chapter P-19, 5.
This Act defines abuse to include:
1(a) ii “Intentionally causing emotional harm […] coercing or restricting from appropriate social contact.”

You are encouraging all Albertans to sign a Power of Attorney and Personal Directive and have Wills drawn up only to have them find out that any person in Alberta can challenge and overturn these directives, including the government.

Years ago, Emma was told by legal counsel that all her affairs were in order and looked after. If this was true, is she in the mess that she is in today because government listens to people who had no right to interfere in Emma Kadnar’s affairs? So what did it benefit Emma to prepare a Will, Personal Directive and Power of Attorney?

It has become patently clear that it is the policy of the Public Guardian to allow and even facilitate the abuse of seniors. This was also most evident in the denial of rights and mistreatment of Flora L’Heureux, a business woman of means, whom for years you detained in a most unpleasant, windowless, hovel of a room.

I again reiterate, before Mrs. Kadnar’s husband passed away, he specifically asked me to “Look after his Mrs”. I first appealed in regard to this matter on November 19, 2009. Now July 2010, her wishes, her rights continue to be disregarded.

All I want is justice to be served and Emma to have her legal rights restored.

Yours truly,

Kerry Modin
Box # 715
Calmar, TOC OVO
Ph. 780 940 6097

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