Stephanie Warriner died following an interaction with four hospital security guards over a dispute about her COVID-19 mask being under her chin instead of over her mouth.
She went to Toronto General Hospital in May 2020 seeking medical help for chronic breathing issues and ended up dead — not as a result of the virus or medical treatment but following a troubling incident with hospital security who are seen in a disturbing video interacting with her over the placement of the medical mask.
“She left there in a body bag,” said her sister Denise Warriner Smith.
The 43-year-old professional animal groomer, who had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had struggled with dependency issues, had been diagnosed with COVID-19 weeks earlier but was not officially considered a COVID-19 death.
Originally Toronto Police held two security guards responsible for this shocking incident. Those manslaughter and criminal negligence causing death charges against security guards Amanda Rojas-Silva, 42, of Stouffville, and Shane Hutley, 35, of Brougham were, however, dismissed Nov. 22, 2022 by Superior Court Justice Sean Dunphy, which means a scheduled spring trial is off.
“While there is some evidence from which the Crown may urge an inference of unlawful conduct on the part of the accused in the way of assault and/or confinement, the actions attributed to the accused for which there is evidence amounted to restraining the deceased with minimal violence, the foreseeable consequences of which would be either trivial or transitory in terms of the potential for bodily harm,” ruled Dunphy
But new video obtained from the court has shed new light on this case and raised many questions.
“It’s sad a jury won’t see it,” said Denise.
The footage shows a benign event escalating to a fatal situation.
“After testing negative for COVID-19, all Stephanie was doing was going to the hospital food court looking for something to eat,” said Denise. “The video shows that she was struggling with her breathing and sat on a chair.”
It shows the frail woman in a hospital gown being approached by security and a female guard wearing PPE garb and visor in an animated conversation with her. The video shows Denise stand up, wave away the guard, followed by her being physically restrained and forcefully ushered toward a wall.
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“There was indifference toward her. She was wrangled like cattle,” said Denise. “She was pushed against the wall, held down and handcuffed. It was heartless, cruel and unnecessary.”
“This was not a jail but a hospital. The guards didn’t know this but Stephanie was a beautiful, caring person. She had broken no laws and was harming nobody. She had only lowered the mask to take a breath.”
Operated by hospital security from a joystick, the camera veered away from the escalating melee of Stephanie being confined and restrained. Seconds later, the video shows Stephanie slumped over, appearing lifeless, being transported by wheelchair as her feet dangled on the floor.
“She was effectively dead right there,” said Denise. “While doctors later resuscitated her, she never regained consciousness and with the doctor saying there was no brain activity,16 days later she was taken off life support.”
“I felt bad hearing about that homeless man who was swarmed and died in which eight girls were charged,” said Denise. “If you take away the security uniforms, this video looks like a swarming as well.”
Is should not have happened. So it doesn’t again, this needs a second look. This case is begging for a judicial review and short of that, at least, a coroner’s inquest or an independent inquiry led by out-of-province, non-conflicted authorities.
“We wanted an appeal but were told the 30-day window has expired,” said Denise.
