St Lucian says unable to find 85-year-old mother

Caretaker not saying where she is
A St. Lucian national, living in the United Kingdom who has been supporting his mother here for many years, has returned to Guyana only to find the woman missing and one of her caretakers denying any knowledge of where the other caretaker and the elderly woman might be.

Sylvester Medor, said he had not seen his mother very often and initially for more than 40 years but assisted her financially through her caretakers, and last heard from the caretakers in May this year. He has come to Guyana to visit his mother but has not been able to find her. The woman, Noelina Marie Prospere–Medor was known to have been staying at a house on Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown and is 85 years old.

He told Stabroek News yesterday that he arrived in Guyana on September 10 and has since not been able to contact the family who had been taking care of the woman and to whom he has sent thousands of dollars over time. The man showed Stabroek News several receipts for bedroom furniture he purchased as well as other items for his mother after she was removed from her James Street, Albouystown home and taken to live with the caretaker and his wife at their Middle Road home.

He said he was in Guyana at the time and had been checking around for a home to keep his mother since she lived alone in the Albouystown house but was removed by the couple who took her to a geriatric home. When she couldn’t stay there anymore he said he felt it was better that the woman be taken to a home but then the couple agreed to take her to their home. Medor said he was concerned about how they would have made that possible especially since both parties were working but they insisted and he agreed.

He then spent large sums on furnishing a room at the couple’s home where the woman was being housed. According to him, when he returned to London he kept sending money on a regular basis for the woman.

Medor said in May this year he sent a significantly smaller sum than usual and both caretakers voiced their disapproval. He called to confirm that the money was received and at that time he spoke with the man’s wife.  That was the last time that he heard from the man and his wife.

Now Medor is back in Guyana and has not been able to find out where his mother is and all telephone calls to the couple have gone unanswered. However, a few days ago the woman’s children answered her phone but told several different stories about her whereabouts. Medor said he made a report to the Ruimveldt police station and the police have since located the female caretaker for  questioning. According to him the woman has since denied any knowledge of the man’s whereabouts  but said that he had taken the elderly woman with him.

“I am worried because she is 85 and I don’t know where she is and I am leaving the country shortly, but I don’t want to leave without knowing where she is,” the man said.

He has since also involved the Human Services Ministry in the matter and says he has been receiving assistance however there has been no word about where his mother could be. The man has asked that anyone with information make contact with the Ruimveldt Police station.

“I would really like to find my mother and place her in a home where I can pay for her to stay and where she could at least receive three meals and that would be good for her. I cannot come to Guyana very often but I will try to come and ensure that she is ok and the bills are covered,” the man said.