Police: Fired Health Aide Put Feces In Employer's Oven, Refrigerator

Police say a home health aide was arrested by warrant Thursday for allegedly putting feces in her employer’s oven and refrigerator after he terminated her.

He said his family became aware of her alleged actions in their New Canaan Avenue home when someone turned on the oven to prepare dinner and the smell of feces and mothballs was soon detected.

He said the feces in the oven were wrapped in a paper towel that caught fire. He said he photographed the burned excrement before disposing of it.

Police spokesman Lt. Praveen John said the complaint was received on February 7. Officers’ reports did not indicate on what date the family discovered what was left in their oven and refrigerator.

John said the man told police the aide, later identified as Fiona Clarke, was hired to care for his mother-in-law. At some point the mother-in-law was hospitalized, and when she returned home, he said, she needed additional care.

He said Clarke was offered the opportunity to work additional hours, but she declined. At that point a second health aide was hired.

He allegedly told officers Clarke became rude and spiteful toward the new aide, and began harassing her, resulting in her being fired.

After being informed police held a warrant for her arrest, Clarke turned herself in at Police Headquarters.

Clarke, 40, of 82 Grace St., Fairfield, was charged with third-degree criminal mischief and second-degree breach of peace. She was held on $5,000 bond and given a court date of March 7.