The ongoing saga around Wendy Williams’ conservatorship added a new chapter when her assisted living facility reported an alleged 'kidnapping' by her niece, Alex Finnie.
In a twist highlighting the complexities of guardianship, Wendy Williams finds herself at the center of contention after a supposed abduction from her living facility, Daily Mail reported.
Wendy Williams, the renowned television personality, has been residing at Coterie, an upscale assisted living facility in New York. Despite her fame, Williams has described her stay, particularly within a restricted memory unit, as being akin to imprisonment.
Her niece, Alex Finnie, has been accused by Coterie of taking Williams out of the facility without proper authorization. This supposed act led the facility to file a police report, labeling the event as a kidnapping, following their dinner outing.
According to the facility, Finnie facilitated their exit by dodging staff and leaving the building under questionable circumstances. They were out to celebrate Williams’ recent psychiatric evaluation from Lenox Hill Hospital, where she claimed to have excelled.
Williams, diagnosed with progressive aphasia and dementia in the previous year, has challenged her conservatorship publicly. She has questioned why she's held in such a high-security division of the facility if, as she asserts, her psychiatric evaluations are passed flawlessly.
While at Lenox Hill Hospital, Williams was granted permission by an attendant from Coterie to use the elevator from the memory unit, which led her and Finnie out of the facility. Their return from dinner was without incident, yet the escape sparked significant disputes regarding her autonomy.
The legal representative for Sabrina Morrisey, Williams' guardian, has maintained that there are no restrictions on family visits and that Williams possesses the freedom to enter and exit the facility as desired. This contradicts the entrapment claims made by Williams.
Amid this conflict, New York's Adult Protective Services has started an investigation into Williams' guardianship situation. Concerns have been elevated about whether her rights are being appropriately respected and if her conservatorship is justified based on her mental health assessments.
Williams, attempting to reclaim some normalcy, was seen with her niece dining at an Italian restaurant. The outing was brief; however, the following day's events led Williams to a scheduled appearance on "The View," further underscoring her wish for ordinary engagements.
Upon their return, Williams and Finnie were met by New York Police Department officers at the facility for a wellness check, clarifying that the duo had come back safely.
Williams has been vocal against the constraints imposed by her conservatorship. In an emotional plea on "TMZ Live," she expressed frustration over her living conditions and the severe limitations placed on her movements within the facility.
What's more restrictive than the Coterie? The memory unit on the fifth floor," Williams criticized during an ongoing interview while she was returning to the facility after the alleged unapproved outing. She lamented the harsh manner in which she is spoken to by the authorities, including the judge overseeing her case.
Her niece, Alex Finnie, relayed to the media that their reentry to the facility post-dinner was met unexpectedly with police presence, prompted by claims from Coterie that she had whisked Williams away without procedural confirmation.
"This is unbelievable," Williams exclaimed, addressing the surreal nature of her predicament. She emphasized the need for immediate change, "I don't know what could be tighter than where I am but I have to get out of guardian and I have to do it immediately," underscored Williams, signaling her desperation to alter her living arrangement and gain more control over her life choices.
As the investigations continue, the public watches closely, with many advocating for Williams' right to manage her own life. Her situation shines a light on the challenges individuals face when under the control of guardianships, especially in the mental health context.
Williams finished her statements with a poignant remark on her current experience, "Thank goodness I can speak," she said, grateful for the ability to still voice her struggles amid the overarching legal battles and public scrutiny.
