DCF investigates claims of theft and poisoning at home of warring couple in The Villages
A Department of Children and Families agent is investigating allegations of theft and poisoning involving a warring couple in The Villages.
The DCF investigator and Lady Lake police were called March 24 to the home of George and Vivian Cantone, at 1722 Myrtle Beach Drive, on the Historic Side of The Villages.
The Cantone home on Myrtle Beach Drive in The Villages.
Vivian CantoneVivian Cantone, 71, who was wearing a red nightgown when authorities arrived at the scene at 10:15 a.m. that day, claimed her husband had in separate incidents in November and December grabbed her by the neck and threw her across the room into a bookshelf, according to an incident report from the Lady Lake Police Department. In one instance, she fell onto a coffee table and hit her head. She said she suffers from chronic back pain.
"There were also concerns of poisoning because Vivian has been sick lately," the report said.
During a recent visit to the hospital in which blood work was performed, there were some questions about "certain levels."
The report noted the couple had gone through a 15-month separation. Vivian Cantone "heard through neighbors" that her estranged husband and "an unknown female" had been seen carrying items out of the residence. She could not identify anything that was missing.
George CantoneThe report also indicated that 77-year-old George Cantone "would not have the physical strength" for the kinds of attacks his wife described.
Vivian Cantone said she is saving money and hoping to relocate in June to Kentucky.
The couple has a long history of violence toward one another.
In December 2015, Lady Lake police were called to the couple's home after Vivian Cantone claimed her husband knocked her to the floor, pulled her hair and cussed at her after she refused to participate in a sex act, according to an arrest report.
On Nov. 5, 2015, police had been called to the Cantone home, where Vivian Cantone claimed her husband had poked her in the eye during an argument in the driveway. George Cantone said his wife, who was dependent on external oxygen at the time, had pushed him. Both were examined by Lake EMS and both refused transport to a medical facility. Both were issued a notice to appear in court to answer to the charges.
As a result of that incident, George Cantone retained criminal defense attorney Benjamin Boylston, who was able to get charges against the couple tossed out.
In 2007 and 2009, George Cantone was arrested on battery charges.
In the 2007 case, the Massachusetts native was ordered to take a domestic battery class and the case was dismissed.
In the 2009 case, he was placed on probation. His probation was terminated on Sept. 7, 2010.
On Oct. 28, 2011, George Cantone sought an order of protection against his wife, but on Nov. 7, 2011, dropped his request.
