Granddaughter alleges grandmother did not knowingly consent before Canada MAID death
Caroline MolloyThe granddaughter of an 83-year-old Canadian woman who died through Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying program is seeking investigations after alleging that her grandmother did not understand or knowingly consent to the procedure.
Brigitte Kranendonk told Fox News Digital that her grandmother, Brigitte Stegemann, had previously rejected MAID and was severely hearing impaired. Kranendonk said the family learned while away that a second MAID assessment had been scheduled at the long-term care home where Stegemann lived.
According to Kranendonk, when she returned and directly explained that the planned procedure would cause her grandmother’s death, Stegemann became distressed and said she had made a mistake. Kranendonk also alleged that her grandmother did not verbally respond to a final question immediately before the drugs were administered on July 10.
The granddaughter said the family is asking the coroner’s office, an ombudsman and Ontario’s long-term-care complaint system to examine the circumstances. Fox News reported that it sought comment from the care home and local police but did not receive an immediate response.
The allegations have not been adjudicated, and the report does not establish that Canadian MAID requirements were violated. The family’s request centers on whether Stegemann understood the procedure and provided valid consent.