AN 85-YEAR-OLD dementia sufferer was “kidnapped” by Essex County Council’s social services department – which then charged her daughter and grandson £1,300 for the unnecessary care costs she incurred.
Brentwood resident Martin Harlow and his mother Marian Harlow fought for nine days to bring Enid Parkinson home after she was taken into care – only achieving their goal after the intervention of local government secretary Eric Pickles.
-
Concerned: Martin Harlow with his grandma Enid Parkinson at her new home at Leonard Lodge, Hutton
Mr Harlow, 36, who works for a hotel booking firm, said of his grandmother’s ordeal: “It has been hellish.
“My mum has been diagnosed with anxiety and I felt sick with stress.”
Mr Harlow said his grandmother, who lives with his mum in Frayes Chase, Ongar, was taken into respite care at Ashlar House, in Epping.
He continued: “She didn’t come home so my mother phoned the cab company who told her she wasn’t coming.
“My mother phoned the care home and discovered that there had been an allegation of abuse and that social services had taken her into care in Loughton.
“The allegation was simply, ‘my daughter shouted at me’ and social services hadn’t phoned to tell us.”
Mr Harlow, who is also a special constable, added: “My mother has Power of Attorney on Grandma’s affairs and finances and they were spending money without permission.
“I was away on business until Thursday and I came home to the news that my grandma had been taken away.
“I went to visit her at the Loughton care home and she was confused, claiming to have been there for a couple of weeks.
