Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Retired nurse nicked for ‘stealing’ mum, 97
A RETIRED nurse arrested for trying to take her 97-year-old mum out of a care home is pleading for a rule change and begging: “Please let me look after her.”
Her calls are backed by campaigners who say families are living in “total misery” during the pandemic.
Ylenia Angeli, 73, was handcuffed after “pushing” her way into the home and taking her mum without permission.
Footage of the arrest was put on social media by her daughter, former
Corrie star Leandra Ashton, 42.
Ylenia said she had been
“terrified” she would never see dementia-suffering mum Tina Thornborough again due to lockdown.
She barged her way into the home on
Tuesday and wheeled her mum out, breaking Covid regulations. She was later detained by police, called by staff at Northgate Care Home in
Market Weighton, East Yorks.
Mrs Angeli, who was released without charge, said she had not been able to see her mother properly in nine months. She added: “I took my mum because I want to care for her myself.
She’s 97 with not very long left. I’m a trained nurse.
“I want to plead with the social care system to please let me take my mum home. It was a horrific ordeal.” Leandra, who played Saskia Larson in the soap in 2016, said the pair had been on a “window visit”. She added: “My mum was very upset and asked if she could pass a bunch of roses to my grandmother. She pushed a woman out of the way quite lightly to get to my nan to hug her. She then wheeled my nan round to see me and wheeled her towards me and kept going.” Staff reported an assault and officers put Ylenia in handcuffs. Leandra said: “One officer was almost crying. They didn’t find it easy. The incident shows the level of frustration many people are at.” Assistant Chief Constable Chris Noble of Humberside Police said an officer “briefly restrained” Ylenia until the situation was “under control”, adding: “We sympathise with all families who are in this position.”
The care home declined to comment. Relatives and Residents Association chair Judy Downey said: “There ought to be a proper dialogue so these things can be worked out. A lot of people are in total misery.” Care Campaign for the Vulnerable said “the same drastic approach” is being considered by many.
FRUSTRATION Leandra with gran Tina and mum Ylenia