Maison Manojlo Govedarica to close today

A Sherbrooke intermediate residence closes today following a decision by the CIUSSS de l'estrie-chus to terminate its agreement with the non-institutional intermediate resource (RNI) on Ontario Street.

The decision follows the initiation of three separate investigations into the suspicious death of a Maison Manojlo Govedarica resident last Christmas day. The Maison Manojlo Govedarica was considered an "intermediate resource", a specialized residential environment adapted to the needs of people requiring sustained and permanent support. It operated under contract with the CIUSSS de Estrie-chus and shared the responsibilities and services available to provide a living environment as adapted as possible to the needs of its clientele.

The Sherbrooke Police (SPS) and the Quebec Coroner's Office opened investigations into the house after a 19-year-old man died under suspicious circumstances in December. These investigations are still ongoing. An administrative investigation was also conducted by the CIUSSS de Estrie- CHUS, which led to the decision not to renew the residence’s contract.

The seven current residents will be relocated to another residence. The residence had two employees.

Closing the resource does not protect its owner or employees from being charged if the police investigation were to suggest that option.

According to an internal memo obtained by Sherbrooke’s La Tribune, the management of the CIUSSS de l’estriechus intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder and physical impairment programs, received a report from the Sherbrooke Fire Department saying that a weakness with regard to the continued presence of competent worker replacements within the resource, could compromise the safety of residents in the event of fire.