Police are looking for a man accused of sexually assaulting two women at a city-run seniors’ home in Etobicoke last week.
One victim was in her 60s while the other was 99, police said.
The assaults occurred around 6 p.m. on May 23 at Kipling Acres, a long-term care facility with more than 300 residents. Security cameras captured the man’s image as he left the building.
“This is a very, very shocking incident,” said city spokesman Kevin Sack. “This is a terrible shock to the staff and to the residents and the families that are part of that community.”
Police Const. Tony Vella said the women were not seriously harmed physically, but “there is obviously an emotional trauma associated with this.”
Vella said it’s unclear what connection, if any, the suspect had to the residence. They don’t yet know if he was a current or former employee, or if he had relatives in the home.
“He walked in, allegedly sexually assaulted two women and then walked out,” Vella said. “We’re urging people that may know who he is to call.”
Sack said staff will be sending a notice to residents and their families to tell them what happened.
He refused to go into detail about security at the facility, but said there is a reception desk to screen guests. He said staff will consider increasing security “if the circumstances warrant,” but added the city would not want to turn the residence into a fortress.
“This is a person’s home,” he said. “You definitely want to have a balance of security requirements and a need to maintain a comfortable and welcoming environment.”
Sack refused to discuss the current condition of the victims, how long they had been in the residence or whether they were still living at Kipling Acres.
A security guard was on premises at Kipling Acres Tuesday night, but several residents who spoke to the Star said it was the first time they had seen security at the facility.
The residents, who refused to give their names, said they were angry they found out about the assaults through the media.
“Why didn’t somebody warn us?” asked one woman in her 60s who has lived at Kipling Acres for several years. “This happened a week ago.”
Another resident also said she was “very upset they didn’t tell us anything,
“You’re somewhere like here and you think it’s safe. When you hear something like this, it’s scary.”
Police say the suspect is black, 18 to 25 years old, six-feet tall and 160 pounds. He was last seen wearing a green striped, short-sleeved shirt with a collar, blue jeans and white running shoes.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 416-808-7474 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
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