Whitehorse man with dementia faces new assault charge

The past caregiver of a Whitehorse man withdementia is wondering why the manis in trouble with the law and saysjail is not the place for him.

Titus Charlie, 53,is charged withassault and resisting arrestfor an incident that occurred outsidethe Salvation Armyshelter on Dec. 24.

Thecharges concern David Hedmann, who has known Charlie for 15 years.

"He has dementia it's a health issue, it's not a justice issue," said Hedmann.

Charlie has a lengthy criminal record that includes sexual assault, but in 2008 and again in 2011he was deemed unfit to stand trialby the Yukon Review Board.

Assessments of Charlie state that he has irreparable brain damage and dementia fuelled by alcohol abuse.

'Jail is not an option'

Hedmann, whoworked as Charlie's caregiver for four years before Charlie was moved to a group home in 2012, saidCharlie requires 24-hourcare, andwonders why he was unsupervised on Christmas Eve.

"He's got a history of violence, so both Titus and the community are at risk with him being at large," Hedmann said.

"Butjail is not an option because he's not criminally responsible."

Hedmann saidhe was shocked when heard Charlie had been kicked out of his group home.

The River ViewHotel confirmed that Charlie was staying there prior to his arrest.Hotel management saidhe arrived independently.

Charlie is scheduled to appear in court today.

CBC left a message forCharlie at the Whitehorse Correctional Centrebut did not get a response.