Former Sask. group home employee pleads guilty to sexually assaulting residents with disabilities
A man accused of sexually assaulting and exploiting residents at a group home he worked at has pleaded guilty.
Brent Gabona is facing 10 counts of sexual assault and sexual exploitation of a person with a disability.
In a Rosthern community hall turned into a courtroom, Gabona pleaded guilty to five of those charges over the phone.
The crimes happened between 1992 and 2006 while Gabona was working at Shepherd’s Villa, a government-funded group home in Hepburn, Sask. for people with disabilities.
Rick Boguski trusted the staff to take care of his brother, Darryl - who lives with autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and blindness. Instead, the pair sat in the courtroom to listen to Gabona’s guilty plea.
“Brent Gabona raped my brother for up to 17 years,” Boguski told journalists, holding Darryl.
“The fact that he can enter a guilty plea from the comfort of his home, while my brother stands here today, I think speaks volumes about the justice system and this case.”
In pursuit of accountability and answers, Boguski is filing a lawsuit against Shepherd’s Villa, the government of Saskatchewan, Brent Gabona, and Gabona’s mother — Myrna Andres — who Boguski says was Gabona’s supervisor at the group home.
The lawsuit is in the process of being filed at Saskatoon’s Court of King’s Bench.
“This is a slap in the face, really, to every vulnerable individual across this country. The fact that this case can be treated the way it is — police really didn’t put that much effort into the investigation, the Crown was happy to have Gabona plead out,” Boguski said.
Gabona is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 11, where he’ll have to appear in person in Rosthern.
Meanwhile, Boguski says he reassures his brother he’s safe, out of Gabona’s care.
“If you can imagine, day-after-day, week-after-week, month-after-month, year-after-year of rape, violence, drugging — I don’t even know how Darryl is standing here today,” Boguski said.
“I’m so proud of him and I’m really disappointed in the justice system.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.