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Detained seniors released

Two Victoria seniors who were held against their will for months in hospital have been released, CTV News has learned.

The Vancouver Island Health Authority confirmed Douglas and Pamela Allen were let out last week, but would not comment further on their status.

The couple's lawyer said he'll be releasing a statement sometime this week.

The 84-year-olds were detained under the Mental Health Act in January after going to Royal Jubille Hospital for what they expected to be a routine visit.

They were both diagnosed with dementia and deemed incapable of caring for themselves, according to court documents.

The Allens were eventually moved to Victoria General Hospital, where they filmed a plea for their release to be used in B.C. Supreme Court.

“We want to go and live our lives as we were before,” Pamela said in the video. “We think it’s very bad [to] take two old people like us.”

Douglas can be seen strapped to his hospital bed by a restraining vest in the footage.

Health officials worked for weeks to find the Allens a place outside of the hospital before they were finally let out.



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