Gavin Axelrod · CBC News
Irene Lima, 55, and her partner, Chad Kabacz, 40, were arrested on October 9, 2024, after Winnipeg police executed a search warrant at their home in the Lord Roberts area. The couple is facing multiple charges related to animal cruelty, including torturing and killing animals, and allegedly selling the videos on the dark web.
However, this is not Lima’s first brush with the law. Court documents reveal that Lima has a history of criminal behavior, having twice been convicted of fraud while working as a home care worker. In 2014, Lima was sentenced to one year of house arrest after she admitted to forging cheques stolen from a 92-year-old woman she was caring for.
While employed by Realcare Inc., Lima stole seven cheques from her elderly client’s chequebook, writing them to herself without the woman’s knowledge. When confronted, Lima claimed the money was a gift, but later pleaded guilty to fraud under $5,000. The total amount stolen was $4,900.
During the court proceedings, Judge Carena Roller expressed shock at Lima’s actions, noting the vulnerability of the elderly woman. “There is no one more vulnerable than a 92-year-old woman who is thousands of miles away from her immediate family,” said Judge Roller. “People who take advantage of the vulnerable are particularly repugnant.”
This past conviction adds to the serious charges Lima and Kabacz now face in connection to their alleged animal cruelty. As the investigation continues, the case serves as a reminder of the potential risks faced by vulnerable individuals, both in the realm of elder abuse and in other forms of criminal exploitation.
