A man has admitted leaving a non-verbal 25-year-old man with autism in a locked car in 40-degree heat while he went shopping for hours.
Tsz Wing Tam, 38, pleaded guilty in the Joondalup Magistrates Court on Friday to endangering the life, health and safety of Jefferson Do and stealing his money.
Mr Do was trapped in the back seat of the car at the Lakeside Joondalup Shopping Center as Western Australia was hit by a heatwave on January 13.
Sensing that he was in distress, the audience beat their chest and shouted triple zero: WA Today reported.
Police officers broke into the car and found Mr. Do strapped in and wearing his seat belt, with the rear windows closed and the front only slightly open.
Tsz Wing Tam, 38, pleaded guilty in the Joondalup Magistrates Court on Friday to endangering the life, health and safety of 25-year-old Jefferson Do (pictured) and stealing his money
Tam had worked with Mr. Do for eight years and even went on vacation with his family.
But the Do family said Friday they hoped Tam would go to prison for his crimes.
“The damage has already been done, we will never trust another caregiver in the same way we did,” Mr Do’s brother Harry told reporters outside the court.
“It is truly heartbreaking for our family to know that we trusted someone and was taken advantage of.
He added: ‘It’s really hard to deal with because it’s hard to see someone you’ve trusted for so long in this light…
“We never suspected this of (Tam) and knowing he did this behind our backs is really scary.”
Harry Do said his brother is “doing well” and returning to his usual self.
“By finally hearing that (Tam) has pleaded guilty, we can have confidence that the trial will move forward and that we can put it to rest,” he said.
Mr Do was trapped in the backseat of the car at the Lakeside Joondalup Shopping Center (pictured) on January 13 during a heatwave in Western Australia.
Harry warned other healthcare providers who are thinking of taking advantage of their vulnerable clients that they risk being caught.
“It’s important to remember why you’re doing the work,” he said.
“At the end of the day, you’re doing the work to advocate for a person who may be disabled or in need of assistance.”
Tam will be sentenced next week and faces up to seven years in prison.