Management “Very affected” after drama in the Dentergem residential care center and calls for peace and respect for those involved (Dentergem)

The Mariaburcht residential care center was startled by a violent incident in the night from Thursday to Friday. A 97-year-old and a 93-year-old man were robbed around 3.30 am of life. A 94-year-old woman was taken to the hospital in a critical condition. The police arrested Aloïs D. (90), who was under conditions after the murder of his wife in September 2021. At the request of the police and the public prosecutor, the residential care center cannot communicate about the content of the investigation.

After the facts, Mariaburcht employees immediately took care of the residents and each other. The police informed the family members of the victims, after which the residential care center informed the family members of the other residents. « It goes without saying that everyone in the residential care center is very affected by the events, » it says on Friday evening in a statement by Zonaal Director Heidi Vandoorne. In that context, psychological assistance was provided and group discussions were organized. In the evening there was also an information moment for the family members and a meeting of the board of directors.

The management cannot say anything about the suspect's past. “We do want to emphasize that we want to take care of everyone at Curando, including the brittle and vulnerable people in our society. If it concerns people with a special problem, we trust the advice of experts who make a decision in honor and conscience.  » The management understands that some residents and family members, but also their own employees and volunteers may feel unsafe as a result of the incident.

In the aftermath of the facts, Curando finally calls for peace and respect for those involved. « We ask everyone to give the team in Dentergem the time and space to focus what it is now about: offering warm care to our residents, » it sounds.